Siero offers a variety of discoveries: a route between palaces, riverside paths and museums with collections ranging from the Asturian hórreo to the siphon bottle. Regional produce, markets and festivals add to the picture. You can get to know the area through its architecture and landscape, as well as its cultural and agricultural traditions.
Palace Architecture and Unusual Collections
The Palacio del Marqués de Santa Cruz de Marcenado is considered a typical example of Baroque palace architecture from the last quarter of the 17th century. Its gardens are now part of Parque Alfonso X. The palace is also the starting point of the Ruta de los Palacios Rurales: this 25-kilometre linear route runs from Pola de Siero to Meres. Here, the architecture and route combine to offer a clearly defined excursion that begins in Pola de Siero and ends in Meres.
At the Museo del Hórreo en Miniatura (MUHOMI), twenty handcrafted miniature models showcase Asturian hórreos from the eastern, central and western parts of the region. The collection combines a small scale with a broad regional perspective. The Museo del Sifón - La Cotorra offers a different kind of collection: it preserves more than 15,000 siphon bottles from various places of origin, including London, Paris, Poland and Argentina. The collection traces the development of the siphon.
The area's history can also be traced through specific milestones. The Iglesia de San Esteban de los Caballeros is first mentioned in a written deed of gift from 1240. The Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Carmen y Carmín dates back to 1695. Both offer a historical perspective, while the museums provide different ways of exploring culture and everyday history through their very varied objects.
Routes Between River, Mining Landscape and Palaces
Siero's routes vary in theme and form. The Ruta del Carbón is a walking and cycling route through mining landscapes in the Candín valley between Siero and Langreo. The Senda Fluvial del Río Nora runs along the banks of the Río Nora on an almost level path and is fully accessible to wheeled vehicles. The routes thus focus on two distinctly different landscapes: the valley's mining landscape and the river.
Another route option is the Conexión Costa - Primitivo. Its first stage covers 21.6 kilometres from Casquita to La Pola Siero, passing through Vega (Sariego), El Castru and Aveno. The Ruta Minera de Jovellanos starts at the Palacio de Valdesoto. Together with the Ruta de los Palacios Rurales, these routes offer different named starting points and itineraries: from a linear connection between Pola de Siero and Meres to a stage that ends in La Pola Siero.
Produce and Local Traditions
Regional produce includes Fabes de la granja, grown in the parish of Argüelles and protected by a designation of origin. Queso de Varé is made in Varé (Anes): the cheese is cylindrical and white, and made from aged goat's milk. Cider is also part of local tradition. Siero has twelve cider-producing lagar wineries; the parish of Tiñana has the highest cider production per resident within the municipality.
A weekly market takes place in La Pola Siero every Tuesday. The livestock market is held on Mondays and Thursdays. Market times may change, so it is advisable to check the schedule before visiting. Another recurring tradition is the Fiesta de los Huevos Pintos, which takes place on the Tuesday after Easter Sunday. Painted eggs are sold at festively decorated stalls. Individual events may vary, so check the dates before your visit.
Getting to Pola de Siero
From León, you can reach Pola de Siero via the A-66 or N-630 to Mieres, then take the AS-1 towards Gijón and exit at Pola de Siero. As roads and junctions may change, check the current route before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Viella, Siero, Granda, Lugones, San Martín De Oscos, Salas, Cabo Peñas, Coaña.
Return to the main travel overview: Asturias.
