A machine house dating from 1917 and the original shaft of the former La Nalona mine are part of the Pozu Fondón complex. These preserved traces set the tone for Langreo: here, mining and industrial history sit alongside art, distinctive architecture and routes through the landscape.
Mining History in Specific Places
The historical story continues at the Ecomuseo Minero Valle de Samuño. It opened in 2013, after the industrial heritage around the mining settlement of La Nueva had been restored. The project was inspired by Pozo San Luis, which was also designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Conjunto Histórico category in 2013. Here, the year marks two different events: the opening of the Ecomuseum and the protection of Pozo San Luis as a heritage site.
Another facet of industrial history is presented in the Sala Bayer at the Museo de la Siderurgia de Asturias (MUSI). It documents both the history of aspirin and the establishment of a German pharmaceutical factory in Langreo. The Archivo Histórico del Pozu Fondón is open for consultation by researchers in history and economics, as well as interested members of the public. Alongside the visible buildings, collections and historical documents are another way to discover Langreo’s past.
The Ruta siderúrgica por La Felguera, a circular route, also starts at MUSI. The museum is therefore not only a place to learn about industrial history, but also the starting point for this route.
Architecture, Art and Earlier Traces
The Torre de Villa is a simple three-storey tower in the Renaissance style. The square masonry building stands near the Nalón River on an estate adjoining the Palace of the Marqueses de Camposagrado. The Cine Felgueroso presents a different architectural form: the elliptical building, designed by architect Juan José Suárez, is one of the few examples of a German architectural movement of the 1950s. The date refers to the movement, not to the year the cinema was built.
The Iglesia de San Esteban de Ciaño is of Romanesque origin and preserves two original portals. The south portal may date from the late 12th or early 13th century. The Ermita de El Carbayu is considered Baroque; its altarpiece is dated to 1738. At the Pinacoteca Municipal Eduardo Úrculo, art meets a former municipal complex: it is housed in elegant former abattoir buildings dating from 1919 and mainly displays Asturian art from the period after the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939.
Routes Between the River and the Ridges
The Valle de Samuño is part of the Paisaje Protegido de las Cuencas Mineras protected landscape and the Natura 2000 network. The Ruta por el Valle del Samuño follows the greenway of the former Carbones La Nueva railway. Here, an old industrial route has become part of today’s trail network.
The PR-AS-44 Vuelta a Langreo is Langreo’s longest trail. It crosses peaks along the municipality’s boundary and is divided into two sections because of its length. The long high-altitude route through Langreo crosses peaks over 1,000 metres high and passes through beech, chestnut and oak forests. The Ruta de los Puentes offers a different scale: it follows the Nalón River for about five kilometres and provides views of 19th-century bridges. The details about distance and landscape distinguish the routes without specifying a walking time.
Culture Along the Way and Practical Information
The Paseo Mitológico features sculptures and paintings of mythological beings from Asturias. The Mercáu de la Revolución Industrial in La Nueva also brings together different discoveries: stalls offer local products to taste, alongside demonstrations by craftspeople, including clog makers and wood and stone sculptors. Check the current event programme before your visit.
Public train and bus services are also relevant when planning your trip. They connect Langreo with key parts of Asturias, the Comarca del Nalón and Mieres. As services and timetables can change, check the current schedule before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Langreo, Cotariella De Escobio, Valle del Nalón, Soto Del Barco, Morcín, Villanueva De Oscos, Ponga, Ribadesella.
For the main travel overview: Asturias.
