Soto De Ribera brings together different perspectives on history and landscape: a settlement that has grown since the 1960s, medieval wall remains, a 20th-century parish church and a route along the Río Nalón. When planning your visit, it is worth considering these topics separately: some focus on architecture, others on the riverside setting or travelling by train.
Settlement and modern architecture
The Poblado de Soto'l Rei was built in several phases from the early 1960s onwards. Adjoining single-family homes and generous shared open spaces characterise the development. You can view the Poblado from the public road. This lets you see the layout from the outside without assuming access beyond public areas.
The settlement was built in connection with the Soto de Ribera thermal power plant, one of the most significant examples of modern architecture in Asturias. Engineer Carlos Fernández Casado and architect Ignacio Álvarez Castelao were involved in its design. Those interested in architecture will find two distinct topics here: the design of the settlement and the plant’s architectural history.
Castle ruins, church and bridge
The Castillo de Soto, also known as Castillo de Doña Urraca, is a medieval castle ruin in Soto Rei and is considered the oldest structure in the Concejo Ribera de Arriba. Parts of a wall and a large round-arched portal with finely carved voussoirs have survived. The masonry is made of limestone and sandstone. Rectangular windows with straight lintels and a small round-arched window complete the building’s appearance. These different forms give a tangible impression of how the windows and portal stand out against the stone façade.
The Iglesia de San Saturnino in Soto Ribera dates from 1931. Its floor plan forms a Latin cross, and the chancel has a flat end. The church is still used for religious services and serves as a parish church.
The Puente de Soto offers an older historical reference: this stone bridge crosses the Río Caudal and was built in 1808. Together with the church and the castle, it shows that the architectural history spans more than one period. The bridge, medieval ruin and church can each be understood through their own architectural form and date.
Route along the Río Nalón and riverside nature
The route from Olloniego to Soto de Rey follows the Río Nalón as its central axis and passes through a biodiverse natural environment. It ends in Soto Rei, also known as Soto de Rey. Before heading back, you can view the Soto Ribera thermal power plant there. The route thus brings the riverside landscape and modern architecture together, without implying access to the plant’s interior.
Alders, maples and poplars grow along the riverbank. Mallards, moorhens and coots can be spotted there, although sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. This distinction is useful when choosing between architectural and nature-related interests: buildings offer permanent structures, while wildlife sightings depend on the time of your visit.
Getting there and finding accommodation
Soto de Rey has a railway station with services for travellers, as well as information on arrival and departure times and the facilities available on the station premises. As timetables and rail services are subject to change, check the connections that apply to your trip before setting off.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you could start by asking yourself what you want to focus on during your stay: the architectural history of the Poblado and Castillo, the historic buildings, or the route and its riverside landscape.
For an overview of the wider trip: Soto De Ribera.
