Luarca (Ḷḷuarca in
Asturian and coofficially
Decree 77 of August 5th, 2014 establishing the official names of the Council of Valdés
/ref>) is a parish and the principal town
A town is a type of a human settlement, generally larger than a village but smaller than a city.
The criteria for distinguishing a town vary globally, often depending on factors such as population size, economic character, administrative stat ...
in the municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
of Valdés in Asturias
Asturias (; ; ) officially the Principality of Asturias, is an autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in northwest Spain.
It is coextensive with the provinces of Spain, province of Asturias and contains some of the territory t ...
, Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
.
Luarca (town) is a fishing and pleasure port. Luarca (parish) had a population of 4,670 (2021), and an area of . The town is from Oviedo
Oviedo () or Uviéu (Asturian language, Asturian: ) is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain and the administrative and commercial centre of the region. It is also the name of the municipality that contains th ...
, the capital of Asturias. The Nobel laureate
The Nobel Prizes (, ) are awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Swedish Academy, the Karolinska Institutet, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee to individuals and organizations who make outstanding contributions in th ...
for Medicine
Medicine is the science and Praxis (process), practice of caring for patients, managing the Medical diagnosis, diagnosis, prognosis, Preventive medicine, prevention, therapy, treatment, Palliative care, palliation of their injury or disease, ...
in 1959, Severo Ochoa
Severo Ochoa de Albornoz (; 24 September 1905 – 1 November 1993) was a Spanish physician and biochemist, and winner of the 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine together with Arthur Kornberg for their discovery of "the mechanisms in the ...
, was born in Luarca. It is well known for its beautiful architecture, landscapes, gastronomy, and tourist attractions. San Timoteo festivities usually attract thousands of people every August.
Museo del Calamar Gigante, said to be the world's only museum dedicated to the giant squid, was based in the town from its opening in 2010 to its destruction by a storm in 2014; it reopened at a new location in the centre of town in 2022.
Way of St. James
The Way of St. James named The Northern Way (Camino de la Costa) passes Luarca.
Economy
Fishery
Fishery can mean either the enterprise of raising or harvesting fish and other aquatic life or, more commonly, the site where such enterprise takes place ( a.k.a., fishing grounds). Commercial fisheries include wild fisheries and fish far ...
and agriculture
Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
have dominated the region for hundreds of years. Luarca is home to the ALSA bus company.
Climate
The town experiences warm summers and relatively mild winters, but strong storms occur in autumn.
Points of interest
* The Fishery Harbour
* Palace of the Marquis of Ferrera
* Lighthouse of Luarca
* Giant Squid Museum
Notable people
* Severo Ochoa
Severo Ochoa de Albornoz (; 24 September 1905 – 1 November 1993) was a Spanish physician and biochemist, and winner of the 1959 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine together with Arthur Kornberg for their discovery of "the mechanisms in the ...
(1905–1993), physician and biochemist, Nobel prizewinner
Villages in Luarca (parish)
* Luarca (town): population 3,620 (2021)
* Almuña: 870 (2021)
* Fontoria: 92 (2021)
* Barceḷḷina: 87 (2021)
* Portizuelo: 1 (2021)
References
External links
City page
Asturian Map]
Luarca. The White Town of the Green Coast
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lluarca
Parishes in Valdés
Towns in Asturias