OVIEDO, a city of Spain, capital of the ancient province of Asturias and modern province of Oviedo, is situated between the Nalon and its affluent the Nora, in 43' 22' N. lat., 5" 57' W. long., about 245 miles N.N.W. from Madrid, 65 miles N. by W. from Leon, and 20 miles S.S.W. from the small port of Gijon on the Bay of Biscay. It is the 'woof a bishop, and the residence of the provincial authorities, and contained in 1850 a population of 10,500.
The four principal streets of Oviedo brauoh from a large and hand some plaza near the centre of the city, and terminate in alamedas, or publio walks, which extend respectively S. towards Leon, N. towards Gijon, a towards Santander, and W. towards Grade. Several other regular streets connect these four main thoroughfares, and the whole of them aro well.paved and kept clean. Many of the houses are old, but they are solidly built, and the architecture is in many parts picturesque. An aqueduct, well-constructed of freestone, and supported on 41 arches, brings an abundant supply of pure water, which is delivered from 11 public fountains. The cathedral is not large, but is a very beautiful specimen of gothic architecture. The main portion is of the 14th century, subsequent to the building of the cathedral of Leon, to which in plan and size it bears some resemblance, but the style of architecture is lighter and more pleasing. The western facade is striking, though one of the two towers is unfinished, and is terminated by a spire of later workmanship. The interior hiss been disfigured by modern alterationa, especially the side chapels. The chapel to the Virgin, now called La Capilla del Re Casto (Alonso II., who died in 843), contains the remains of this king and of several other of the early princes and. hogs of Asturias and Oviedo. The churches of San Tirso and San Juan are ancient; also the two churches of Santa Maria and San Miguel, on the side of a bill called La Cucuta do Namisco, a short distance from the city, are very curious and interesting from their great antiquity and their peculiar style of architecture. The convent of San Francisco is now
converted ruto • hospital, and the ex-colloge of San Vicente is used for government-oillees The convent of San Peiayo has also been con verted to secular uses. The university is a handsome ;structure, is well endowed, and possesses a large and valuable library. The city also contains an episcopal palace, a theatre, a military hospital, public reading-rooms, and several schools. The manufactures consist of linens, woollens, hats, leather, and fire-arma. A magnificent road extends from Leon to Oviedo, and is continued to the small port of Gijon. Tic commerce however is very limited.
The origin of Oviedo is generally assigned to Fruela I., grandson of relays), who is suppoeed to have built it in A.D. 759, soon after his accession to the throne of Asturias. According to other authorities, Oviedo was a considerable town before the time of that sovereign, who is said only to have made it the capital of his new conquests from the Moors. During the early part of the middle ages Oviedo was known throughout Christendom as the City of the Bishops Civitas Episcoporum ' ), owirg to the great number of dignitaries of the church who took refuge there. Oviedo was originally the seat of a bishop, but a council having been held there in 901, the bishopric was by the Pope elevated into an arehbiehopria Tho dignity how ever was in the course of Hrno trausferred to the church of Santiago, and Oviedo became a bishopric as before.
(Ford, Handbook of Spain ; Fiore; lieporia Sagrada, Madrid, 1754.) OVIGLIO. (A LEMANDIti A.)