While only part of the original building remains today, this church is still an important site, in a lovely setting.
Nestled next to picturesque Monte Naranco, the Church of San Miguel de Lillo is an important historic and religious landmark for the city of Oviedo. Visit in the summer to see its golden exterior contrast against the nearby greenery, or come in the snowy winter for an enchanting walk through the woods.
One of the reasons San Miguel de Lillo is so treasured is that it has stood for many centuries, having been built in A.D. 842. In the beginning, the church was dedicated to St. Mary, but this switched over to St. Michael in the 12th century. Start your visit to the church with the knowledge that what you see today is only a third of what once stood in its place. Some of the church collapsed in the Late Middle Ages, although the entrance and the ornamentation are all original.
From the outside, admire the buttresses on the exterior walls. You can see the window openings, and if you look closely, the detail of the stone latticework will become evident. Step through the towering doorway and you will be able to see the choir stalls and the start of the three naves. Look at the columns around the church to see a wide range of decorative religious symbols.
As you are walking around, look for other details, including the Byzantine and North African motifs under the arches. Notice the two sets of stone stairs that have survived over the years. In order to continue the preservation of the building, San Miguel de Lillo was deemed a UNESCO site in 1985.
Visit San Miguel de Lillo on a Monday for free entry for your entire group, or come on another day and pay a small entry fee. Entry is discounted daily for groups of over 20 people, as well as children between 8 and 14 years of age. Check the hours before arriving, as the church operates on seasonal hours with longer days in the summer and shorter opening hours in the winter. Free parking is available nearby, with a few spaces just outside the church.
