Oviedo Public Art Walking Tour (Self Guided), Oviedo

Public art adds a great deal of vibrancy and character to the cityscape of Oviedo, Spain, reflecting, among other things, its contemporary spirit. From the bustling Plaza Trascorrales to the serene Plaza Porlier De Oviedo, numerous sculptures have long become an integral part of the neighborhood, captivating passers-by in their numbers.

In Plaza Trascorrales, sculptures like The Fishwife and Fishmonger celebrate the city's longstanding culinary traditions, depicting scenes of daily life with intricate detail. Nearby, The Milkmaid is a tribute to the timeless occupation of dairy farming, resonating with nostalgia and simplicity.

"La Regenta," inspired by the renowned novel of the same name, pays homage to Oviedo's literary legacy, while the Traveler Sculpture in Plaza Porlier De Oviedo, one of the most photographed spots in Oviedo, embodies the city's welcoming spirit.

The statue of Archbishop Fernando de Valdés Salas, located prominently in the city center, symbolizes the intersection of religion and power throughout Oviedo's history. Meanwhile, the Concord Monument in Plaza del Carbayón stands as a commitment to peace and unity.

Other notable sculptures include The Thinker, The Walk of Hope, and The Girls, each contributing to the city's artistic tapestry with their unique narratives and styles. From the whimsical statues of Mafalda and “Stew Pot” to that of Woody Allen, Oviedo's public art scene is as diverse as it is captivating.

As you explore Oviedo, take a moment to appreciate these artistic marvels. This self-guided tour will take you around the city center to see some of the most interesting of them. Accept our invitation and engage with Oviedo's creativity in a truly immersive way!

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Michel Curi.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Oviedo

Guide Name: Oviedo Public Art Walking Tour
Guide Location: Spain » Oviedo (See other walking tours in Oviedo)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 19
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Author: Xena
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:

Vendedoras del Fontán (Sellers of the Fontán)
Plaza Trascorrales. La Pescadera (The fishwife)
Vendedor de Pescado (Fish Saler)
Plaza Trascorrales. La Lechera (The Milkmaid)
La Regenta (The Regent)
Plaza Porlier De Oviedo. Sculpture of the Traveler
Statue of Archbishop Fernando de Valdés Salas
Plaza del Carbayón. Concord Monument
La Pensadora (The Thinker)
Esperanza Caminando (Walk of Hope)
Las Meninas (The Girls)
Encarna con Chiquitin (Embodied with a Little Boy)
La Maternidad (The Motherhood)
Statue of Mafalda
Woody Allen Statue
Luis Riera Posada Statue
Mavi
Guisandera (The Stew Pot)
La Gitana (The Gypsy Woman)

1) Vendedoras del Fontán (Sellers of the Fontán)

Two bronze women, one seated, one standing, guard a collection of ceramic ware in the Daoiz and Velarde Square. They are known as the "Sellers of the Fontan." The statue, inaugurated in 1996, is the work of sculptor Amado Gonzales Hevia. The bronze women are one of more than 100 such monuments that populate Oviedo streets.

The urban landscape of the city is adorned with sculptural works. For the most part, they represent personages of particular relevance in a former period. The "Sellers" was inspired by an old photograph of Spanish photographer and painter Adolfo Lopez Arman. It shows two women who have come from Faro to Oviedo to sell ceramics they have made in their home workshop.

The Daoiz and Velarde Square holds part of the Market of Fontan where shoppers of Oviedo may buy agricultural products and artisan goods of Asturias every Thursday and Saturday. Since the civil war, the Market has become the exclusive sphere of women. The sculpture is a realistic scene of the Market in the 18th century.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Michel Curi.

2) Plaza Trascorrales. La Pescadera (The fishwife)

La pescadera is a sculpture by Sebastian Miranda. It was installed at the entrance to Plaza del Pescado in 2005. The sculpture depicts the main heroine of the play “Saturnina Requejo, la Cachucha”. The composition is famous for its sublime beauty and realism. People say that from time to time, the Pescadera actually seems to wake up from her thoughts and start looking at passersby in surprise.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and velomartinez.

3) Vendedor de Pescado (Fish Saler)

Another wonderful statue by José Antonio García Prieto, “Vendedor de pescado” is installed not far from La pescadera. The life-size statue is made of bronze and depicts a typical fish seller, smoking a cigar and waiting for his next customer. The basket near the merchant is full of fish. The image of the Vendedor represents the Oviedo fisherman's guild, showing a moment from their day to day life.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Raimundo P. Porres / RAYPORRES.

4) Plaza Trascorrales. La Lechera (The Milkmaid)

La Lechera is located on the Plaza Trascorrales. This square used to house the former fish market hall, which now serves as a venue for various exhibitions and other events. An artistic composition by Manuel Garcia Linares serves as the main feature of the square. It depicts an old village woman selling milk. The woman is accompanied by a small donkey. The composition has no pedestal in order to be closer to the people and to create an impression that it is part of their everyday life.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nicola.

5) La Regenta (The Regent)

La Regenta statue was installed in the Cathedral Square in 1997. It depicts Ana, the main heroine of the realist novel “La Regenta” by Spanish author Leopoldo Alas y Ureña. The statue was created by Mauro Álvarez and delights with its realism and meticulous attention to details.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and manuel m. v..

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

6) Plaza Porlier De Oviedo. Sculpture of the Traveler

Plaza Porlier De Oviedo is a beautiful square in the center of Oviedo, right next to the Plaza de Alfonso II. It is surrounded by beautiful buildings: Palacio de los Condes de Toreno, one of the leading examples of Baroque architecture, currently housing the headquarters of the Royal Institute of Asturian Studies; The Camposagrado Palace presently the site of the Supreme Court of Asturias; and even the Cathedral of San Salvador can be clearly seen from the square. One of the curious features of the square is the Escultura El viajero (Sculpture of the Traveler). It depicts a man in a fedora and overcoat, surrounded by suitcases. Since its installation in 1993, El viajero has become one of the most photographed places in the city.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nacho.

7) Statue of Archbishop Fernando de Valdés Salas

The Statue of Archbishop Fernando de Valdés Salas is located in the courtyard of University of Oviedo's library. Fernando de Valdés was a Spanish churchman and jurist, Professor of Canon Law at the University of Salamanca, and later its Chancellor. He was a member of the Supreme Council of the Spanish Inquisition from 1516 and is famous for establishing the Oviedo University. He also founded the Colegio de San Pelayo in Salamanca, as well as contributed to the construction of numerous cultural and educational institutions.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and José Luis Filpo Cabana.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

8) Plaza del Carbayón. Concord Monument

Plaza del Carbayón is located in the historic center of the city. It was called a lot of names over the years, including Campo de la Lana, Huerta de Santa Clara, Plaza Progreso, Plaza de la Reina María Cristina, Plaza de los Estudiantes, Plaza Galicia, and finally, Plaza del Carbayón. The square derives its name from the legendary Asturian oak (“carbayón”), which had an enormous importance for the city of Ovideo.

Plaza del Carbayón is also famous for the artistic composition called “Monumento a la concordia”. It is a sculpture by Esperanza D'Ors, depicting three naked men and three naked women, placed in pairs. This composition reflects the brotherhood, common efforts and team work. Monumento a la concordia was inaugurated in 1997.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Luis Villa del Campo.

9) La Pensadora (The Thinker)

La pensadora is a bronze reproduction of a wood carving from 1968 by José Luis Fernández. It was inaugurated in the Plaza del Carbayón in 1999. “La persadora” means “the thinker”, it depicts a woman immersed in her thoughts, with her eyes glued to the horizon.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Adolfobrigido.

10) Esperanza Caminando (Walk of Hope)

Esperanza Caminando represents a young student walking, absorbed in a book, not noticing the world around. This sculpture is the only work of Julio Lopez Hernandez in Oviedo city. The Esperanza Caminando (directly translated as “walk of hope”) is located in front of the entrance to the Teatro Campoamor, near the street light, turning into a very romantic figure at night.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Evan Bench.

11) Las Meninas (The Girls)

The Las Meninas statues on the Paseo de los Alamos were designed by Manolo Valdés. He derived the image of “Menina” studying the works of Picasso, Matisse, Rubens and Velasquez. These statues where set to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Cajastur Cultural Center. It took more than a year to plan, design and create the 21 statues. Today, Las Meninas represent a distinctive feature of the city and make part of its cultural heritage.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Gonmi.

12) Encarna con Chiquitin (Embodied with a Little Boy)

Encarna con Chiquitin is located on Paseo de los Alamos, near the legendary Campo de San Francisco. This statue was created by the great Oviedo sculptor Sebastián Miranda. It was installed in its present location in 2005, 20 years after the artist's death. The composition belongs to the long list of Oviedo's statues dedicated to motherhood. Encarna con Chiquitin depicts a mother breast-feeding her child. The sculpture amazes with its realism.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Gonmi.

13) La Maternidad (The Motherhood)

La Maternidad sculpture is located in the Plaza de la Escandalera, between the historic and commercial centers of the city, a very busy place. “La Maternidad” is translated from Spanish as “motherhood”. The name perfectly represents the message of the composition, it depicts a mother with a little boy on her knees. The statue was created by Fernando Botero Angul, Colombian figurative artist.

The sculpture represents the artistic tendency called "Boterismo". Botero depicts women, men, daily life, historical events and characters, milestones of art, still-life, animals and the natural world in general, with exaggerated and disproportionate volumetry, accompanied by fine details of scathing criticism, irony, humor, and ingenuity. La Maternidad was installed in 1996, it is 2.46 meters high, made of perfectly polished brass. The locals call this statue “La Gorda”, what can be directly translated as “fat woman”.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Aureliano.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

14) Statue of Mafalda

Since October 2014 there has been a statue of Mafalda in the park, the famous character created by Quino. Said statue was created by Pablo Irrgang, who had previously designed another for the San Telmo neighborhood, in Buenos Aires, on the occasion of the Prince of Asturias Award with which Quino was awarded. The statue can be found on one of the benches located in the Duck Pond, and is often visited by people of all ages and from all over the world, who sit next to the statue to take a photo with it.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Pachug.

15) Woody Allen Statue

A life-size statue of Woody Allen was set on Calle de Pelayo in 2005. The statue was inaugurated after the famous film director dedicated compliments to the city of Oviedo upon receiving the Premio Príncipe de Asturias de las Artes. In 2005, Allen came to Spain and reached an agreement to film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” in Avilés, Barcelona and Oviedo. Shooting in Ovideo started on July 9, 2007.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Noemy García García.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

16) Luis Riera Posada Statue

Luis Posada Riera was a Spanish lawyer, who in 1979, as a result of the first democratic elections, became the Mayor of Oviedo. He was also the President of the Municipal Corporation, as well as the President of the Asturian Center of Oviedo, and President of the Society of Celebration Ovetense. Posada held many official posts during his carrier and did his best to help and support the people. As mayor, he solved the problem of water supply, paved roads and much more. In 1994, he received the award of Honorary Citizen of Oviedo. In December 2000, a street was named after this great man. Luis Riera Posada died on the 24th of March, 2007, in the city he dedicated most of his life to.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Noemy García García.

17) Mavi

Mavi is a sculpture by Santiago de Santiago, located in the Plaza Longoria Carbajal. It was placed in front of the square fountain in 1994. The sculpture is carved in volcanic stone and bronze, it depicts a young woman kneeling and covering her face with her hand, shrunk under the weight of problems and pain.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and jlmaral.

18) Guisandera (The Stew Pot)

Guisandera by María Luisa Sánchez-Ocaña is located on the Boulevar de la Sidra. The sculpture depicts a woman cooking and a little girl who can't take her eyes of the process. It represents a tribute to female labor, as well as to the role women have played throughout history.

The composition was installed in 2000.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nacho.

19) La Gitana (The Gypsy Woman)

La Gitana is a bronze statue by Oviedo sculptor, Sebastian Miranda. It was installed in 2005 and depicts an older gypsy woman in rustic clothing, holding a basket on her hip. This is not the only gypsy sculpture by Sebastian Miranda, he liked using models from the gypsy world to create his work. The La Gitana statue is located at the entrance to the Gascona street.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and 19Tarrestnom65.

Walking Tours in Oviedo, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Oviedo

Creating your own self-guided walk in Oviedo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Oviedo Historic Architecture

The north Spanish region of Asturias and particularly its capital city, Oviedo, have long been noted for their unique architecture. The medieval part of town, whose ancient walls are still largely intact, contains some truly priceless relics. Among them is a well called La Foncalada, a fascinating example of an effective hydraulic system, dating back to the first half of the 9th century, based on... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Oviedo Introduction Walking Tour

The Kingdom of Asturias began in 720, with the Visigothic revolt against Muslim rule led by the nobleman Pelagius. At that time, the city of Oviedo did not exist. Two monks, Maximo and Fromestano, founded the city in 761. They built a small church for Saint Vincent on a bare hillside, and from this seed, Oviedo grew.

After Pelagius died in 737, King Alfonso I founded a dynasty in Oviedo that... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles