Having reached Oviedo by late afternoon still allowed me to visit part of the city under the guidance of Jonas, who had flown there the previous Sunday.
I soon realised that statues ranging from more realistic to abstract styles were spread all over the city and were considered vital in the referred to as "open air sculptural Museum", without which the city would not be the same. The first one I came across with, "Menina" was located just outside the bus terminal I got at (about half an hour driving distance from the main Asturias airport).
We then decided to walk up and into Calle Uria heading towards San Francisco Park and Plaza de la Escandalera, which is said to mark the "union" point between the old historic centre and the modern city.
View of Calle Uria
San Francisco park is said to have been the former vegetable gardens of the Monastery of San Francisco. The monument to José Tartiere by Victor Hevia (1933) seen in the above right picture portrays one of the outstanding figures of Oviedo who was responsible for its industrialization.
"La Torera" by Mauro Alvarez Fernandez (2002) portraying a well known female photographer known to have carried out her art in this public location.
Paseo de los Alamos
"La encarna con chiquilin" by Sebastian Miranda (above on the right).
"Maternidad" by Fernando Botero (1996).
"Monumento al asturcon" by Manolo Valdez (2005) representing the Asturian horse breed.
We then walked towards the 1892 Teatro Campoamor, which is said to have once corresponded to the centre of the cultural and artistic life in Oviedo.
"Esperanza caminando" by Julio Lopez Hernandez (1998) right in front of Teatro Campoamor.
The 4 metre high bronze statue "Culis Monumentalis" by Eduardo Urculo (2001)
"El Diestro" by Miguel Berrocal (1987) representing the torso of a bullfighter.
We had to deviate towards Calle de las Milicias Nacionales where stood a statue of Woody Allen made by Vicente Santarrua in 2003 following the Principe de Asturias de las Artes' prize awarded to the well known film producer and actor in 2002. Jonas and I couldn't resist having a photo taken with him.
We then continued walking towards Plaza de Carbayan on our way to Oviedo Cathedral.
"La pensadora" by José Luis Fernandez (1999).
In the centre of Plaza de Carbayan stands a "Carbayin" tree which is said to be there in honour of a "Carbayan" tree that used to stand in Calle Uria until it had to be cut down so as to allow this new Avenue to be constructed in 1879. Its importance was recognized as having been at the origin of the name given to Oviedo inhabitants - Carbayones and thus considered one of the strongest symbols of the city.
"Monumento a la concordia" by Eugénia d'Ors (1997).
(To be continued)
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