Susacasa reveals its distinctive character through two different themes: the architectural and local history surrounding the church of Santa Dorotea, and a published hiking route linking the village with Luanco. When planning your trip, you can focus separately on its historical traces and the routes towards the coast. The route initially follows a road and then continues along coastal paths.
Romanesque architecture and local history
The church of Santa Dorotea in Susacasa is dated to the late 13th century and classified as a rural Asturian example of Romanesque architecture with archaic features. Only the chancel and the triumphal arch remain of the Romanesque church. The chancel is the area at the end of the church; the triumphal arch marks the transition to it. Together, these two surviving architectural elements provide a tangible reference point for the history of the architecture handed down to us.
Written records also date back a long way. A 13th-century document held at the monastery of San Pelayo in Oviedo mentions Susacasa in connection with a private land sale. The first specific mention of the chapel of Santa Dorotea in Susacasa appears in an account from 1849–1850, which describes it as remarkable for its great age.
Canella and Bellmunt report that Susacasa was once the capital of the GozĂłn municipal district and the place where the local council met. Another detail in its architectural history concerns the western portal of Santa Dorotea: it was moved to the neighbouring church of Santa Eulalia de Nembro, where it now serves as the main entrance. The history of the place thus includes both written records and an architectural element whose location has changed.
Landscape and routes
In the wider region, the Cabo Peñas area was designated a protected landscape in 1995. It is also classified as a Site of Community Importance (LIC) and a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA).
A hiking route published in 2019 describes the connection from Susacasa to Luanco. From Susacasa, it initially follows the road to Bañugues, then continues along coastal paths to Moniello and on to Luanco. The route description therefore distinguishes between an initial section along the road and the coastal paths that follow. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Below Punta de Aguión, near Moniello, there are natural rock pools. At low tide, they form natural swimming pools; access is via the path from the La Corona settlement. Playa de Bañugues beach is suitable for swimming and recreational fishing, subject to seasonal conditions. These details describe different ways to enjoy the coast: at Moniello, planning depends on the tides and access via the path, while swimming and recreational fishing are listed as activities at Bañugues.
More activities in the area
Baluverxa is a surf school at Cabo Peñas. It offers courses for different levels and age groups, supervised by qualified instructors, as well as facilities close to the beach. The provider lists Bañugues, Luanco, Verdicio and Xagó as course locations; the courses are for children aged ten and over, adults, families and groups. Check the course locations and availability before your trip.
Susacasa Agrocultural is also among the village’s cultural attractions. The Festival ADAR 2025 programme described it as a combination of ecological, educational and cultural activities in a large hórreo (traditional Asturian granary) converted for community use. This description relates to the 2025 programme year and offers a snapshot of the project at that time.
Discover more destinations: Bañugues, Nembro, Luanco.
Return to the main travel overview: GozĂłn.
