Ribadesella

Ribadesella
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Ribadesella
Ribadesella Location in Spain
Coordinates:43°27′45″N5°3′30″W
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Asturias
Province	Asturias
Comarca	Oriente
Capital	Ribadesella
Government
•Alcalde	Ramón Manuel Canal Tirador (PSOE)
Area
• Total	84.37 km2(32.58 sq mi)
Elevation	897 m (2,943 ft)
Population (2018)
• Total	5,730
• Density	68/km2(180/sq mi)
Demonym	riosellano
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code	33560
Official language(s)	Asturian
Website	Official website

Ribadesella(Asturian:Ribeseya) is a small 84-square-kilometre (32 sq mi) municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality ofAsturias,Spain. Known for its location on theCantabrian Sea,at the outlet of the River Sella, Ribadesella is a town that forms part of thePicos de Europa(Peaks of Europe). It is bordered on the east byLlanes,on the south by Cangas de Onís and Parres, and on the west by Caravia. Ribadesella is the home town ofQueen Letizia of Spain.

On the first weekend of August, theInternational Sella River Descenttakes place; kayakers from all over the world gather here to attempt the final 20 km of theSella Riverin record time. The town is also known for its prehistoric cave, known as the cave ofTito Bustillo,which is open to visitors all year round. Ribadesella is often visited for its history, sport activities, scenery, natural amenities, and food.

History

Tito Bustillo cave

Prieto Palace

Vega beach

Sella Descent

The municipality includes theTito Bustillo Cave(Cueva de Tito Bustillo), known for prehistoric wall paintings of animals and figures, probably dating from the Magdalenian age (29,000 years ago). It's included in theUnesco World Heritage SItePaleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain.

The first written references to the settlement are more recent, and date from the first century BC. These come from the Greek geographerStrabo,who speaks of the River "Noega" separating "the Astures from the Cantabrians". The people of Ribadesella at this time were called the Salaeni: they dominated Colunga, Arriondas and Llanes.

The town

Ribadesella has two main streets, the Gran Vía de Agustin Argüelles, and the Calle Comercio. In this part of Ribadesella, there are a few banks, pharmacies, restaurants/bars, stores, and newspaper stands. Here also is the Casco Antiguo, where the old plaza is located, as well as Ribadesella's church: the Iglesia Parroquial de Sta. María Magdalena. In this part of town are small shops selling homemade products, as well as the homes of Ribadesella's inhabitants. The third part of Ribadesella consists of the Paseo Marítimo del Puerto, or the Maritime Avenue of the Port.

Parishes

• Berbes
• Collera
• Xuncu
• Leces
• Linares
• Moro
• Ribadesella(Capital)
• Santianes
• Ucio

Cultural events

TheInternational Sella River Descentis a race that takes place every year on the first weekend of August on the banks of the River Sella, and is accompanied by a celebratory gathering (La Fiesta de Les Piragües) through the streets and plaza of Ribadesella. The race begins in Arriondas, and finishes at the end of the River Sella, located in the “center” of Ribadesella.

Other festivals are celebrated with food, music, and dancing with original bagpipe/asturiano music and traditional dress. These festivals include religious celebrations for San Antón de Cuerres, San José de Sebreñu, Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Toriellu, San Isidro, San Lorenzo, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza de Collera, and Nuestra Señora de Guía, the patron of fishermen. The Feria del Queso (Cheese Festival) de Cuerres and La Fiesta del Pez (Fish Festival) de Tereñes are other festivals celebrated throughout Ribadesella. Semana Santa, or Easter Week is very important in Ribadesella. Processions take place daily, and a great celebration, including a horse race/spectacular on the Santa Marina beach is held each year.

Events

Descent of the Sella.

The "Guia".