Centro de Recepción e Interpretación del Prerrománico Asturiano

About the museum

The Centro de Recepción e Interpretación del Prerrománico Asturiano occupies the former schools of the Naranco, on the slopes of the mountain of the same name, about 3 km from Oviedo and about 200 metres from Santa María del Naranco. It is run by the public tourism and culture company of the Principality of Asturias and serves as the gateway to the Naranco monuments, which are recommended as a complement to the visit.

The permanent exhibition traces the stages of the Asturian monarchy and the fifteen monuments that make up this architecture, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It uses panels, maps, timelines and photographs, an audiovisual on the pre-Romanesque churches and buildings, loaned by the Archaeological Museum of Asturias, and an interactive in Spanish and English with details of each building.

Among the highlights are models of Santuyano, San Salvador de Valdediós, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo; the last is a 3D reconstruction of the original church with a longitudinal cut-away that allows its interior and exterior to be seen and its elements to be touched. The centre also has 3D-printed replicas of pre-Romanesque goldwork and decorative elements, and a programme of workshops, family activities and virtual reality experiences. It also hosts temporary exhibitions, such as the one in 2015 devoted to the image of San Miguel de Lillo over time.

Highlights

• Route through the stages of Asturian pre-Romanesque art and its fifteen monuments
• Models of Santuyano, Valdediós, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo
• Model of San Miguel de Lillo with a longitudinal cut-away that can be touched
• 3D-printed pieces of pre-Romanesque goldwork for visitors with visual impairments
• Audiovisual and interactive on the monuments, with information in English, French and Braille

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente del Prerrománico Asturiano – Twelve panels and several models follow the stages of the Asturian monarchy, the buildings of its most prominent reigns and the features of each pre-Romanesque monument.

Operated by

Sociedad Pública de Gestión y Promoción Turística y Cultural del Principado de Asturias

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the centre is free. Workshops and special activities have their own admission, bought at the centre’s reception, at the Tourist Information Centre of the Principality of Asturias in Oviedo, or online. The neighbouring monuments of Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo have a separate ticket office (at the Santa María del Naranco gate, cash only, guided visits only and in Spanish).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The entrance is through an alternative access route, along a path leading to the rear of the building; a portable metal ramp bridges the step into the exhibition and must be requested on arrival. The interior route is accessible and there are adapted toilets. The audiovisuals are subtitled and narrated, some content is in Braille, and there is an induction loop at reception, a mobile transmitter and three induction loops. Models and 3D-printed pieces may be touched, and with advance booking there are drawers with objects to handle. Suitable footwear is recommended, as the ground is uneven and becomes muddy on rainy days. A vehicle can bring a person with reduced mobility up to the centre.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

There is a children’s area for drawing Asturian monuments, baby carriers available to borrow, and family workshops and activities with their own programme. The free school guided visit (booking required) is designed for all school levels from the age of 5. Children must always be accompanied by an adult, except during children’s activities.

Getting there & parking

From Oviedo, head up the Naranco road towards Ules; the centre is about 200 metres from Santa María del Naranco. Access is on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Hot-drinks vending machine. Shop with books, crafts and gifts. Book consultation point. Food and drink may not be taken into the rooms.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit