Gold history, local architecture and regional traditions offer different ways to explore Navelgas. The story of gold ranges from the Museo del Oro de Asturias and its gold-panning workshop to traces of Roman mining. Historic buildings, trails and a local festival add to this picture. If you are planning a trip to Navelgas, you can choose your own focus between the museum, the landscape and the town’s history.
Gold History and a Museum Visit
The Museo del Oro de Asturias is located in Navelgas and is dedicated to gold and its history in Asturias. It is housed in the restored Casona Capalleja in the San Nicolás district, next to the old bridge. The Casona de Capalleja, also known as Casa de Nicolás, was built in 1842 and preserves a typical regional kitchen with a llar and a stone oven. The Navelgas tourist information office is also located in the museum building; confirm its location locally before your trip.
The museum’s gold-panning workshop, available daily, introduces visitors to the basic techniques of gold panning. In the adjacent basin, participants search for and find the gold nuggets hidden in a bucket of sand provided for them. In this way, gold panning as a hands-on activity takes its place alongside the history.
Navelgas is the gateway to the Roman Gold Route. The Roman gold mines of Navelgas form part of a gold-bearing complex that was worked using underground channels, which are still visible today. Numerous aguaderas, caves and bare rocks give the Roman gold-mining area the character of a lunar landscape.
Local Sights and Regional Traditions
Navelgas de Arriba, the original settlement of present-day Navelgas, is home to an ethnographic ensemble of 15 paneras and 2 hórreos. The parish church of San Juan has a Latin cross floor plan and was remodeled in the 19th century. In 2003, Navelgas received the “Pueblo Ejemplar de Asturias” award for its shared and ongoing efforts to recover and preserve local traditions and natural resources.
Trails with Different Starting Points
The Senda Verde del Brezo begins near the old bridge over the Navelgas River in the San Nicolás district; it is right next to the building that houses the Museo del Oro de Asturias. The Ruta del Escayo, by contrast, begins on the outskirts of town. Its connection to the La Huella del Oro trail (PR-AS 195) makes it possible to walk it as a loop. The starting points and the described loop connection offer two different reference points when choosing a trail.
A Festival Featuring Regional Specialties
Esfoyón y Amagosto features roasted chestnuts and freshly pressed sweet cider. At the Festividad del Esfoyón y Amagosto, residents offer frixuelos, as well as bollo and empanada baked in the “forno”, for visitors to taste. If the festival is an important part of your trip, check that year’s program in advance.
Discover more destinations: Espinaredo, Tineo, Naraval, Tuña, Baradal, Bustiello.
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