Cotariello offers a way to explore Asturian village culture that can be viewed from both a local and a regional perspective. A 2005 census recorded seven Hórreos; the traditional Asturian form of the place name is Cotariellu. The area also belongs to the Comarca Vaqueira. This gives you a clear cultural focus when choosing a destination: Cotariello can be understood through its architectural heritage, regional ways of life and specific historical connections.
Village Culture and the Comarca Vaqueira
Cotariello belongs to the Comarca Vaqueira, whose name comes from the vaqueiros de alzada. These transhumant livestock herders provide a specific historical connection that helps place the village in its regional context. Cotariello is also associated with ethnography and Asturian villages. The census of Hórreos and the traditional place name Cotariellu give this cultural perspective a local dimension.
In the comarca, cycling routes follow paths that the vaqueiros de alzada have long used. Cycling in the region is therefore linked to a network of paths with a history of use. If you include a route in your plans, check the current route conditions in advance.
Camino Primitivo: La Espina and the Third Stage
The Camino Primitivo offers another way to orient your trip: La Espina, the parish of Cotariello, lies on the third stage between Salas and Tinéu. The stage is 19.73 km long and runs along paved road edges, dirt tracks and gravel roads. The stated distance therefore refers to the entire section between the two towns, not to a route within Cotariello. The connection to the Camino is through the parish of La Espina.
When planning a stage, both the total distance and the different surfaces are relevant. Check the route and trail conditions before your trip, as details may change. This makes it easy to distinguish Cotariello’s connection to the Camino from the regional cycling options in the Comarca Vaqueira.
Cultural Sites in Salas
In Salas, the Museo Prerrománico San Martín houses pieces and inscribed tomb slabs from the church of San Martín. If you plan to visit the museum, check the visiting arrangements in advance, as opening arrangements may vary. Another cultural landmark in Salas is the Collegiate Church of Santa María La Mayor, dating from the 16th century. It contains the mausoleum of the founder of the University of Oviedo.
The two sites offer different points of interest: the museum focuses on pieces and tomb slabs from the church of San Martín, while Santa María La Mayor is notable for its date of construction and the mausoleum. Visiting arrangements at the collegiate church may also vary, so plan your visit with the current conditions in mind.
A Historical Glimpse of Cotariello
An agreement from 1719 set an annual levy of 14 Copinos of Escanda bread for land in Cotariello. This historical detail adds an economic aspect to the village’s culture: alongside its architectural heritage, it also brings past levies into focus. Together with the 2005 census of Hórreos, it offers a broader perspective on the village’s history over time.
Discover more destinations: Faedo, Trevías, Valdredo, Oneta, San Justo de la Dóriga, Calleras, Ballota, Novellana.
For the broader travel overview: Comarca Vaqueira.
