Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura

About the museum

Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura occupies the complex designed by the architect Luis Moya as an ideal city, self-sufficient and closed in on itself, with its own hundred-hectare farm. Conceived first as a mining orphanage, it became during construction a Universidad Laboral (labour university) to train the children of workers as professionals. Work began in 1948 and was interrupted in 1957, after the dismissal of the Minister of Labour José Antonio Girón, the main promoter of the Universidades Laborales; by then there were already students in the classrooms.

The Society of Jesus ran the school from the beginning, with the daily support of Poor Clare nuns. In the 1980s the centre came under the Instituto Nacional de Enseñanzas Integradas, and much of the building fell into disuse and deteriorated.

In 2001 the Government of the Principality of Asturias took charge of the building, and in 2005 rehabilitation works began. The complex reopened to the public in March 2007, the same month LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial opened. Today the highlights are the central square with the church and tower, the theatre, the library, the Corinthian courtyard covered with a new glass roof, the paraninfo (assembly hall) and a television studio next to the former convent, home of the Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias.

Highlights

• Central square, church and tower with panoramic viewpoint
• Theatre and covered Corinthian courtyard
• Guided tour of about 75 minutes
• Historic square and gardens with free access
• Combined ticket with the Jardín Botánico Atlántico
• Also home to LABoral Centro de Arte

Permanent exhibition

• Visita guiada a la Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura – 75-minute route through the square, theatre, church and tower viewpoint of the former Universidad Laboral complex.

Operated by

Gobierno del Principado de Asturias

Admission & discounts

Prices correspond to the guided tour. Access to the square and the historic gardens is free. Tickets are bought at the reception of the Laboral, at the Tourist Information Centre in Oviedo and online.

Accessibility

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

Some spaces, such as the church and, on special weekend visits, the old kitchens, are not accessible. For questions about access you can call 985 185 820.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The website offers the self-guided family game “Aprender jugando en familia con Marco Topo”, with a map and online activity, and a school programme.

Getting there & parking

By car, via the A-8 towards Gijón and the ring road, take the exit at km 385 (Viesques), following the signs to Hospital de Cabueñes. The destination in the satnav is the main façade of the historic building.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit