Plaza del Riego

Found near the historic seat of the University of Oviedo, the Plaza del Riego is a small, triangular shaped plaza in the center of the city, which buzzes with activity from morning until evening, when its outdoor terraces are consistently packed.

Plaza del Riego
Great place to chill, Plaza del Riego in Oviedo

Formed by the streets of Ramon y Cajal and Peso, the plaza owes its name to the Asturian military hero Rafael del Riego, a general who led the 1817 revolution against an incompetent King Ferdindand VII. The revolt was successful and, after the king was imprisoned in Madrid, Riego became the Asturian delegate in a short-lived constitutional period. Unfortunately, France and other European monarchies didn’t like the idea of a Republican Spain, and soon sent in armies to restore Ferdinand VII. Riego was sent to the gallows.

Before renaming it honor of their fallen hero, ovetenses referred to this area as the Plaza de la Picota, or “pillory”. It was here that lawbreakers and heretics who ran afoul of the inquisition would be punished. The sculpture in the center of the plaza is an archaic meteorological column, which holds the bust of Rafael de Riego and a plaque honoring his achievements.

More Photos of the Plaza del Riego

Riego Statue Oviedo, Asturias
Rafael del Riego Defensor
Plaza Riego Oviedo cafes
Architecture Plaza Riego Oviedo

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. adomon

    Hey folks, I must say…
    Woody Allen and HolaValencia.net / @ValenciaBlog / @For91days …
    are smart people. Asturias is great!
    Don’t you miss the current 40ºC in Valencia? … Enjoy

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