Coya offers several distinct points of interest for a culture-focused trip: an archaeological site, historic houses and chapels, and the history of canoeing associated with Dionisio de la Huerta. The Piloña River is also part of the picture of the town. You can explore its architectural styles, local history and connection to the river as separate themes, rather than reducing Coya to a single building.
At Coya, the Piloña forms the pool known as Rabión. A walk in Coya also offers views of the riverside landscape. Rabión provides a specific point of reference in the landscape, while the walk draws attention to the wider river area.
Buildings and their details
The Coya-Lludeña/La Cuesta archaeological site is located in Coya and is listed in Asturias’s heritage inventory. The entry is dated January 17, 2014. In Villabajo, Casa de El Pedrocal is part of the local architectural heritage; the Ermita del Carmen in Coya dates from the 18th century. These represent an archaeological site alongside different examples of built heritage.
A house belonging to the Barredo-Piloña lineage stands in La Villa Riba in Coya. It has a large round-arched entrance, and its origins date back to the 16th century. Different architectural features define the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe: its floor plan follows a Latin cross, and the building has a barrel-vaulted roof. La Casona del Viajante is also listed as a stop on the Casona Route through Piloña.
Dionisio de la Huerta and the history of canoeing
The origins of canoeing in Spain are associated with Coya. Dionisio de la Huerta spent his summers in Coya during his childhood and youth; the town inspired him to take his first canoe trips on the Piloña and Sella rivers. In this way, local history connects with a personal biography and two named rivers.
La Huertona, his former family home, is part of De la Huerta’s story in Coya. It can now be viewed from the outside and has a design inspired by Indian architecture. A walk along the Ruta de Dionisio de la Huerta began at Coya church in 2022; similar activities had been held repeatedly in previous years.
Coya’s parish church offers views and is surrounded by centuries-old trees. Here, architectural history and views of the landscape come together, while De la Huerta’s story links the river with the development of canoeing.
Coya from two perspectives
You can distinguish between the themes when making your choice: the buildings foreground individual architectural styles and their historical context. The history of canoeing, by contrast, follows De la Huerta’s connection to Coya and his first trips on the Piloña and Sella. A walk complements this local history with views of the river and landscape. You can therefore focus on architectural history, the history of canoeing, or the riverside landscape.
Discover more destinations: Triongo, El Tejedal, Borines, Naves, Priede, Cuerres, La Pesa, Sotres.
For the wider travel overview: Oriente De Asturias.
