Start planning

Oviedo · Spain

Santa María del Naranco

Santa María del Naranco is a major architecture stop in or near Oviedo, offering see a rare surviving masterpiece of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture on the slopes above Oviedo.

Plan a trip here Website / visitor information
Santa María del Naranco Radiostud484 — CC0 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Typical visit
1 hour 15 minutes
Setting
Mixed
Region
Galicia, Asturias & Cantabria
Last checked
9 Aug 2026

Why visit

See a rare surviving masterpiece of Asturian pre-Romanesque architecture on the slopes above Oviedo.

What you will see

  • Pre-Romanesque architecture.
  • Upper hall.
  • Naranco hillside.

History

Built in the 9th century under the Asturian king Ramiro I, the structure began as a royal hall and was later converted to a church.

Photographs

Santa María del Naranco

Radiostud484 — CC0 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons · full attribution on the image credits page.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Allow about 75 minutes for the main visit, adjusting for queues, walking and optional sections.

  2. 2

    Check current access, opening and ticket information before setting out, especially in peak season.

About Galicia, Asturias & Cantabria

Atlantic pilgrimage heritage, green mountains, prehistoric art and dramatic coastal scenery.

Open the Spain guide

Combine it with

More to see around Oviedo

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Santiago de Compostela · Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is a major religious sites stop in or near Santiago de Compostela, offering experience the culmination of the Camino in a cathedral and square charged with pilgrimage history. Tower of Hercules A Coruña · Spain Tower of Hercules is a major history & heritage stop in or near A Coruña, offering walk the exposed headland and climb the lighthouse when open for Atlantic views and Roman engineering history. Praia das Catedrais Ribadeo · Spain Praia das Catedrais is a major beaches stop in or near Ribadeo, offering visit at an appropriate low tide to walk among natural stone arches, while treating the shore as a tide-dependent coastal site. Picos de Europa National Park Covadonga / Fuente Dé · Spain Picos de Europa National Park is a major nature stop in or near Covadonga / Fuente Dé, offering choose a valley, cable-car area or trail rather than trying to cover the whole park in one day. Altamira Cave Santillana del Mar · Spain Altamira Cave is a major archaeology stop in or near Santillana del Mar, offering visit the museum and accurate replica cave to understand the art without assuming entry to the fragile original chamber. Comillas Pontifical University Comillas · Spain Comillas Pontifical University is a major architecture stop in or near Comillas, offering see a monumental educational complex above one of Cantabria’s most architecturally distinctive towns.

Already worked out

Ready-made trips through Oviedo

All ready-made trips
Asturias & Cantabria 4 days · 4 stops · Moderate pace A green-north route connecting pre-Romanesque heritage, high mountains, prehistoric art and Cantabrian architecture.