Santuyano - Centro Prerrománico Asturiano

Alfonso II built a basilica of admirable harmony in honour of San Julián and Basilisa.

With its construction being ordered by Alfonso II (791-842), it makes up a basilica floor plan temple, with triple header, three porticos, two side ones and the other located to the west. It has three naves, the centre one being wider and higher than the lateral ones, and a transept that stands out for its height, lit by a large opening on the southern side and separated from the central nave by an arch of triumph. The naves are separated by series of brick semicircular arcades over square section pillars.

The sculptural decoration is reduced to the internal arches of the main chancel, where eight reused Corinthian capitals are preserved, possibly from Visigoth times. These pieces show great technical perfection, being out of marble, probably originating from a workshop located in Tierra de Campos. Also, two marble plates decorated with hexagons and floral patterns reused as internal coating for the main chancel jambs stand out.

With its notable architectural value, the transcendental importance of Santuyano lies in the conservation of the internal pictorial decoration, unparalleled in Western Europe, due to its extension, degree of conservation and iconographic programme. The fresco technique, the geometric, vegetation and architectural patterns, together with the aniconic nature of the programme, take us back to the classic 1^st century prototypes from Pompey and models from Ancient History. The majesty inside Santullano allows to value appropriately the cultural level reached in the court of Oviedo.

The building was also coated externally, covering the poor wall bond. The external rendering of these buildings has been adequately proved, giving a deceitful current image: an effort has to be made to imagine them rough-coated and fully painted. Nowadays, what must be considered is returning this architecture to its original aspect, particularly where internal paintings are kept, for protection and conservation reasons.