Information about The Charity
The village of La Caridad is a charming place that stands out for its perfect preservation and is located 130 km from Oviedo. It is said that the name of this village comes from the charity shown by the villagers to the pilgrims, a great indication of the simplicity of its people. In this location you will find an excellent mix of sea and mountains to the delight of nature lovers.
One of the main attractions of this village is the beach of Permenande, which also has a recreational area with a pilgrims’ hostel. On the other hand, its architecture is most striking, as it presents ancient and Indian constructions, and the culture of Asturias is also present in its streets.
What to see and do in The Charity
The old town hall
The old town hall is one of the monuments worth visiting in the town of La Caridad and that few tourists miss during their stay. This building has a coat of arms with a legend commemorating its independence from Castropol in the 16th century.
In this historical moment the capital passed from El Franco to La Caridad (at that time known as San Miguel de Mohíces), an act that took place in 1852. It is interesting to see this construction as a heritage of the historical past of the town and its evolution.
The port of Viavélez
This small port is located next to the mouth of the river Salgueiro and is another place of great interest when passing through the town. Its activity is not of primary importance to the town at this time, as it is more closely related to its historical past.
In the mid-nineteenth century the port of Viavélez was an important center of construction specializing in ships, in him sailboats and whaling boats were built. This is a nice reminder of the past, as today the town is known for its tranquillity and beauty rather than its maritime activity.
The beach of Pormenande
This coquettish beach is less than 200 meters in size and can be defined as one of those beaches paradisiacal coves of great beauty. It consists of pebbles and gravel and although it is somewhat stony the truth is that it is perfect for a relaxing getaway, it is a very safe and protected from the wind.
You can find the islet of El Rego to the right of this beach, in fact, you can access it from this beach. It is the main beach of La Caridad so there is always a lot of movement of people, an atmosphere that is never desolate.
The Castro of Cabo Blanco
The castreño settlements can be found in different points of the western coast of Asturias. They are pre-Roman walled settlements, with dwellings in a circular shape and made of rocks. Next to La Caridad, in the same council of El Franco, you can visit one of them: El Castro de Cabo Blanco.
This is one of the largest in the region and the most important of the Principality of Asturias, so it is an architectural remains of great interest that is worth knowing if you are in the area. Its origin dates back to the Iron Age and some impressive stretches of up to 4 metres high are perfectly preserved.
The center of La Caridad
The most traditional center of the village of La Caridad is composed of the building of the Town Hall, the Church of San Miguel and the Maria Cristina Park. A stroll through this beautiful urban area of the village is most rewarding and invites you to discover the history of the place in just a few steps.
These buildings stand next to the old road and the Camino de Santiago. In the constructions of this village you can find the Indian influences and well preserved old buildings that can be comfortably contemplated at street level.
The Popular Nativity Scene and the Ethnographic Museum
During the months of December and January La Caridad dresses up for Christmas by adding other tourist attractions that are only available at this time of the year. On the one hand, the Asturian Popular Nativity Scene attracts people of all ages at this special time of the year. On the other hand, in the Ethnographic Museum the traditional professions of the area are represented.
There is also the Museum of La Forja which is located in the family home of the forging artist Ángel Fernández López. Here you can find practically all of the artist’s work, a series of handmade pieces made of iron and glass by hand.
