The Council of El Franco belongs to an area called “The Historical Park of the Navia River”. This refers to an area of different councils with a common historical past stemming from the ancient inhabitants of Asturias. The west of Asturias is full of legends, mystery, magic and myth. This is largely because their location between the sea and the mountains of Galicia and Leon and their welcoming character as a land of travelers, farmers, fisherman, shepherds, sailors and craftsmen.
The whole area is like a living museum with exhibits of mountains, beaches, valleys, rivers, towns and forests where you can find history in every step through the remnants of the Celtic, Roman and Christian cultures.
If we had to define this area in few words then it would be inspirational, relaxing, spiritual and mystical.
Other common denominators to all these areas are the mix of Galician and Asturias architecture, with stone structures and slate roofs. The traditional Asturian stores called “horreos” or “paneras” live side by side with Galician Style Barns. You will find these constructions right next to the houses and were designed protect cured meats and vegetables from animals and insects.
During the middle Ages the nobility and clergy governed the land and left testimonies of their wealth in the form of Palaces, Large Stately Houses, chapels and sanctuaries. You will find a lot of examples of this throughout the enchanting small coastal and inland country villages.
The Council of El Franco has plenty of charming places, natural monuments and pretty beaches to visit.
In El Franco you can visit the Natural Monument of As Covas da Andia, the Cabo Blanco Settlement or the estuary of Porcia.
The main town of the council is the village of La Caridad. Throughout the area, you will find beautiful towns with many churches, palaces and large stately houses. Some of the best examples of this are the Church of Santa Maria de Miudes , the Sanctuary of La Braña, The Fronfria Palace or the Castropol, Villar, or Jardon Palaces, and the charming Viavelez fishing port and Marina.
You can also witness the beauty of El Franco at the viewpoints of The Atalaya and The Castro of Cabo Blanco, the walk along the “Coastal Route of Castello-Porcia” and the section of the ”Northern Route” of the “Route of Santiago” that passes through the El Franco.
There are plenty of quality beaches to choose from like Castello, Porcia and Pormenande.
More info: El Franco Tourist Office
If you want more information contact Where is Asturias at info@whereisasturias.com
Images supplied by Tomás Fano, Ayto de El Franco & Parque Historico del Navia, Turismo Asturias: Camilo Alonso.
