Top Historic Sights in Colunga, Spain

Explore the historic highlights of Colunga

Gobiendes Palace

The Gobiendes Palace was built with a medieval tower in the 15th century, and belonged to the Mitra Ovetense until the time of Philip II, who sold it to Gonzalo Ruiz de Junco. The building was later extended, and today it has two perpendicular wings, with a side chapel.

Founded: 15th century | Location: Colunga, Spain

Church of Santiago de Gobiendes

Saint James of Gobiendes (Iglesia de Santiago de Gobiendes) is a Roman Catholic pre-romanesque church, located in Gobiendes, next to Colunga. It was built during the reign of Alfonso II of Asturias, its structure is typical of pre-romanesque Asturian architecture. It underwent through an important remodeling in 1853, being further restored in 1946 and in 1983.

Founded: 9th century AD | Location: Colunga, Spain

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Rhodes, The Island of Knights

Great Spa Towns of Europe

History of Guernsey & Jersey

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mr Phil Price

Historic Site of the week

Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre

Built around AD 90 to entertain the legionaries stationed at the fort of Caerleon (Isca), the impressive amphitheatre was the Roman equivalent of today’s multiplex cinema. Wooden benches provided seating for up to 6,000 spectators, who would gather to watch bloodthirsty displays featuring gladiatorial combat and exotic wild animals.

Long after the Romans left, the amphitheatre took on a new life in Arthurian legend. Geoffrey of Monmouth, the somewhat imaginative 12th-century scholar, wrote in his History of the Kings of Britain that Arthur was crowned in Caerleon and that the ruined amphitheatre was actually the remains of King Arthur’s Round Table.

Today it is the most complete Roman amphitheatre in Britain.