Villanueva de Oscos, Asturias: municipality guide
Villanueva de Oscos —Vilanova d’Ozcos in Eonavian, the local language— is one of the smallest and most authentic municipalities in Asturias: 244 inhabitants (INE 2025) on 72.98 km² in the west. Its capital is Villanueva (Vilanova). The municipality is part of the Río Eo, Oscos y Tierras de Burón Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO.
What to see in Villanueva de Oscos
The monastery of Santa María de Villanueva, declared a historic-artistic monument, is the municipality’s main artistic landmark. Founded in the 12th century by the Benedictines thanks to a donation from Alfonso VII of León and later run by the Cistercians, it keeps the Romanesque chevet of the church —now the parish church— and the tomb of Juan Álvarez Osorio. Its monastic quarters, from the 17th and 18th centuries, speak of centuries of monastic power over these lands.
The Alto de la Garganta, a mountain pass on the AS-11 road, offers the widest views of the municipality, with the Sierra de la Bobia in the background. In the northern part rises Pico El Filso (1,197 m), the highest point of the municipality, on the border with Castropol.
The municipality preserves a rich ethnographic heritage: the hillforts of La Pena del Castro (Morlongo) and El Castelo, linked to Roman iron mining; the hórreos of Morlongo with vegetal roofing; the cortines of San Cristóbal —walled enclosures where beehives were kept safe from animals— and a vernacular architecture of slate, quartzite and wood perfectly integrated into the landscape, in dwellings and farm buildings alike.
Getting there
The regional AS-11 road crosses the municipality from the Puerto de la Garganta and is the main route in. Villanueva de Oscos lies 185 kilometres from Oviedo, in one of the most remote and best-preserved corners of Asturias. The Puerto de la Garganta, on the AS-11, is the gateway to the municipality and one of its best-known viewpoints.
Festivals and gastronomy
The most unique event is the Living Stations of the Cross (Viacrucis Viviente) at Easter, a popular representation of the Passion declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest since 2016. In August the Festa dos frailes takes place, with music, theatre and workshops at the monastery. The calendar includes San Pedro in Salgueiras (July), Santa Ana in La Garganta (26 July), San Antonio in Bustapena (August), San Juan Degollado in Martul (29 August), Santa María in Villanueva (September) and San Miguel in La Garganta (September).
Municipality data
Coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (SanchoPanzaXXI, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Capital: Villanueva
- Population: 244 inhabitants (INE 2025)
- Area: 72.98 km²
- Zone: West
- Town Hall: Plaza de la Villa, s/n, 33777 Villanueva de Oscos. Tel. +34 985 62 60 84
Neighbouring municipalities
Useful links
Want to correct or expand this information? Contact us.
See it on the interactive map: The 78 municipalities of Asturias
