La Carriona Cemetery
Perhaps it is curious that on a trip to a city they recommend you to visit the cemetery, but if, as in this case, they tell you that you are going to visit one that is part of the ASCE, which is the association of the most important cemeteries in Europe, you realize that you are not in just any cemetery.
The demographic growth of Aviles in the 19th century meant that the city cemeteries were too small and it was decided, for health reasons, to build a cemetery away from the urban population, choosing the area of La Carriona as the ideal place to do so.
The project was commissioned to Ricardo Marcos Bausá, who at that time was the municipal architect of the town, and was started in 1888 to be inaugurated in 1890.
This was a time of splendor in Aviles, with the return of some of the Indians who had made their fortune in America, who built important buildings in the city and who also wanted to demonstrate their power in the cemetery with the construction of mausoleums adorned with sculptures of great beauty.
There are several types of burials, from niches, pantheons or hypogeum (which are burials in subway crypts), of which the following are the most important ones
Burial of the Marquise of San Juan de Nieva
It is probably the most outstanding burial of the cemetery. Designed by Armando Fernández Cueto, it dates from 1902 and is made of Carrara marble and it highlights the sculpture created by the artist Cipriano Folgueras. An Angel with wings spread out holding a trumpet in his right hand while his left hand is raised and pointing to the sky.
On the tomb can be seen the family crest and lion claws in demonstration of strength and power.
Burial of Armando Palacio Valdés
Armando Palacio Valdés was one of the most outstanding writers of Spanish realism. Author of several works set in Avilés as Marta y María or La novela de un novelista where he grew up and was educated. His tomb was built in 1941 and it highlights the sculpture of Demetria,a character from The Lost Village, one of the writer’s most outstanding works.
Burial of the Marquis of Teverga
Subway burial of the family of the Marquis of Teverga, work of the same architect who designed the cemetery, it is formed by a small temple with a latin cross plan covered with a barrel vault with a raised barrel vault over which rises a high tower crowned with a winged angel.
These are just some of the burials that you can see in the cemetery. We encourage you to stroll through its streets and discover other fantastic works that give deserved fame to this cemetery.
The cemetery has an interpretation center that you can visit for free where you can find more information regarding its history.
