The Parador of Gijon overlooks the Isabel la Catolica Park in Gijon, in fact you might say it is situated in the park. It was a joy to stroll here at some point in the day.
Read more: Isabel la Catolica Park in GijonA brief history
The Isabel la Catolica Park dates from 1941. Ramon Ortiz designed the park in a marshy area known as Charca del Piles. It covers 15 hectares (37 acres) with lots of trees, flower beds, formal avenues, grassy spaces, and it houses an aviary and a children’s playground. There are two lakes and both are populated with various birds and swans. It is a Site of Cultural Interest.
The park is named after Isabel, who together with her husband Ferndinand, was known as the Reys Catolicos. However, she was Queen of Castile in her own right.
From the Parador you step out directly into the park.
River Piles
The River Piles flows down the northern side of the park, passing the El Molinon sports stadium. There is apparently a lovely walk along the river, from the beach inland. The river path, and the development of the park, were deliberate decisions by the town council to enhance the town – what a contrast to things I see in south east London!
Avenida el Molinon
The Avenida el Molinon runs on the north side of the park, parallel with the River Piles. The trees are tall and it is very calming. There are many eucalyptus trees and they seemed to be flowering. There are many different species of trees in the park – I couldn’t identify them all – and there is now a book which tackles the subject.
On one side of this area is one of the many stautes in the park – a monument to the artist Marola. Manuel Rodríguez Lana (1905-1986) was better known as Marola and he worked in various forms of the visual arts.
Central Avenue
Another avenue runs down the centre of the park and here the gardens are more formally laid out. It starts at the main road, the Avenid Castilla and ends at the large lake in front of the Parador.
Southern Avenue
This area is much ‘freer’ and here you feel you can just wander under the trees. Some paths lead to the formal central section and towards the end is the large children’s playground. And under the trees I saw a brown squirrel!
Julio Somoza was an historian and writer who researched the history of Gijon and its famous residents.
Oddly enough there is a little ‘pocket park’ on one side of the main park with a memorial to Alexander Fleming! It was designed by Luis Moya and made by the sculptor Manolo Laviada.
The Aviary
There is a caged aviary with chickens and two casswaries! But in addition apparently over 90 species of birds have been identified in the park. I am not a bird person and so I can’t tell you much about this, but the lakes were always well-populated.
Playground
There is a large children’s playground and it was always busy, as these areas are always popular.
The Lakes
I can’t find information about the lakes but I did enjoy looking at them!
It was a joy to stay in the Parador in Gijon and be able to stroll in the Isabel la Catolica Park at any time of the day. It is elegant, calming, and of course spotlessly clean
I would love to hear from you!