Gijón
To the south the rugged peaks of the Natural Park of the Picos de Europa, to the north the endless Atlantic Ocean. Gijón is a city in between two worlds, the terrestrial and the marine and as such is open to the riches that both these immense resources offer.
Sitting on the privileged northern coast, the city preserves much of the elegance that was imparted to it long ago as much by early roman settlers as by medieval inhabitants who built the essence of the town; one that is keenly preserved in the narrow streets of the old town. However, juxtaposed with this is a modern, inquisitive city that compliments the old town in a symbiosis that is as natural as it is functional.
The Romans favoured Gijón for it thermal baths considered to enervate the body and rejuvenate the soul. These baths are still operational today, having been discovered in 1903 and have been converted into a visitors centre where the workings and purpose of the baths are explained in a well-presented audiovisual exhibition.
To find out more about Gijón:
http://www.asturias.es
http://www.visitasturias.co.uk/
Routes and Places worth a Visit
The botanic garden of the Atlantic is a journey through many eco-systems ranging from Mediterranean to temperate and boreal European and Mediterranean as well American and Caribbean. This is a well-presented display that is one of the great museum visits of the northern part of Spain.
The Roman thermal baths were built between the I and IV centuries but were only rediscovered in 1903. The architectonic assembly is considered to be one of the most important and best-preserved testimonies to the roman presence in Asturias.
Fiestas and Celebrations
Gijón: Day of Asturias. The festival is held on the first Sunday of August and is hugely popular.
7 to 15th August is the Semana Grande while the Fire Nights are held on the 14th August.
In August too is the International Feria de Muestras of Asturias.
November welcomes the International Cinema Festival to Gijón.
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