The Camino Primitivo, considered the oldest pilgrimage route to Compostela, passes through Salas. Alongside the pilgrimage route, visitors can explore buildings from different centuries, annual festivals, trails through the countryside and regional specialties. These offer a range of ways to plan a stay in Salas.
Historic Buildings and Cultural Heritage
The historic town center is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural (Site of Cultural Interest). The Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor was built in the 16th century in the Late Gothic style. The Palacio de Valdés-Salas is a complex dating from the 14th to the 16th century: a palace and a medieval tower are connected by an arch bearing heraldic coats of arms. The palace currently houses the Fundación Valdés-Salas and the Aula Universitaria Valdés-Salas. In collaboration with the University of Oviedo, the Aula develops cultural and academic activities.
The Torre Medieval de Salas, also known as the Torre de los Valdés, is a square tower dating from the 14th century. It is built of ashlar and served residential and defensive functions. Another perspective on the past is offered by the Museo del Prerrománico de San Martín, which displays archaeological objects and inscribed tombstones from the former pre-Romanesque church of San Martín, dated to the 9th to 10th centuries. The buildings and objects in the collections offer different ways to explore history: Late Gothic architecture, a palace complex and evidence of an earlier church.
Festivals and Regional Traditions
The Concurso de Sidra Casera de Salas takes place every year. Local producers present ciders made using traditional methods and recipes passed down through generations. The annual Feria Medieval de Salas transforms the historic center into a medieval village. The program includes craft stalls, workshops, exhibitions and performances. If you plan to attend either festival, check the event dates before your trip.
Trails, a Waterfall and Views
Pico Aguión can be reached from the town of Salas via marked trails. From there, panoramic views stretch across the valleys of the Narcea and Nonaya, the town of Salas and the mountains of western Asturias. The Cascada del Nonaya is also nearby. The waterfall is on the Nonaya, a tributary of the Narcea, in a forested area with lush Atlantic vegetation. A short, well-marked trail leads to the waterfall and is considered suitable for all visitors.
For a hike with a historical destination, the moderate, 5.02-kilometer Salas desde la Trinchera loop runs from the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to the remains of trenches and fortifications from the Spanish Civil War. A different kind of route is the difficult, 11.23-kilometer S.V.1 Salas – Cascada de Nonaya – El Viso – Salas mountain-bike loop. The routes differ in activity, length and difficulty, offering practical guidance for choosing between hiking and mountain biking.
Asturian Specialties
Carajitos del Profesor were created by Casa del Profesor, a historic café-bistro founded in Salas in 1918. The round cookies are about five centimeters in diameter and are made exclusively from hazelnuts, sugar and eggs. Casadielles are another Asturian sweet: a thin pastry encloses a walnut-and-sugar filling with a hint of anise; the pastries are then fried and sprinkled with sugar. Several pastry shops in Cornellana, within the municipality of Salas, make casadielles.
Fabas de Salas are also part of the municipality's regional produce. They are among its most representative agricultural products, are protected under the Faba Asturiana Protected Geographical Indication, and are grown on small farms using traditional, environmentally friendly methods. Alongside sweet pastries, legumes and their origins represent another culinary focus of the region.
Discover more destinations: Malleza, Cornellana, Santiago De La Barca, La Granja
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