Ribadesella ( Asturian : Ribeseya ) is a small 84-square-kilometre (32 sq mi) municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias , Spain. Known for its location on the Cantabrian Sea , at the outlet of the River Sella, Ribadesella is a town that forms part of the Picos de Europa (Peaks of Europe). It is bordered on the east by Llanes , on the south by Cangas de Onís and Parres, and on the west by Caravia. Ribadesella is the home town of Queen Letizia of Spain .
8-605: On the first weekend of August, the International Sella River Descent takes place; kayakers from all over the world gather here to attempt the final 20 km of the Sella River in record time. The town is also known for its prehistoric cave, known as the cave of Tito Bustillo , which is open to visitors all year round. Ribadesella is often visited for its history, sport activities, scenery, natural amenities, and food. The municipality includes
16-671: Is a 20 km (12 mi) canoeing and kayaking race that has been held since 1930 on the Saturday following 2 August along the Sella River between Arriondas and Ribadesella ( Asturias ), Spain. Organized by the Comité Organizador del Descenso Internacional del Sella (CODIS) on behalf of the Real Federación Española de Piragüismo [ es ] , it holds the honorary distinction of Fiesta of International Tourist Interest since 1980. In
24-716: The Tito Bustillo Cave (Cueva de Tito Bustillo), known for prehistoric wall paintings of animals and figures, probably dating from the Magdalenian age (29,000 years ago). It's included in the Unesco World Heritage SIte Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain . The first written references to the settlement are more recent, and date from the first century BC. These come from the Greek geographer Strabo , who speaks of
32-464: The 2023 edition, more than 1,100 paddlers and 800 boats from 18 countries participated in the competition, which attracted over 250,000 spectators. For the occasion, and since 1945, Renfe Feve makes a train available for the fans, named Tren fluvial or Tren de las piraguas , which, starting from Arriondas , runs parallel to the Sella River, with stops at different points to get off to take
40-882: The River "Noega" separating "the Astures from the Cantabrians". The people of Ribadesella at this time were called the Salaeni: they dominated Colunga, Arriondas and Llanes. Ribadesella has two main streets, the Gran Vía de Agustin Argüelles, and the Calle Comercio. In this part of Ribadesella, there are a few banks, pharmacies, restaurants/bars, stores, and newspaper stands. Here also is the Casco Antiguo, where
48-794: The first weekend of August on the banks of the River Sella, and is accompanied by a celebratory gathering (La Fiesta de Les Piragües) through the streets and plaza of Ribadesella. The race begins in Arriondas, and finishes at the end of the River Sella, located in the “center” of Ribadesella. Other festivals are celebrated with food, music, and dancing with original bagpipe/asturiano music and traditional dress. These festivals include religious celebrations for San Antón de Cuerres, San José de Sebreñu, Nuestra Señora de Fátima de Toriellu, San Isidro, San Lorenzo, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza de Collera, and Nuestra Señora de Guía,
56-662: The old plaza is located, as well as Ribadesella's church: the Iglesia Parroquial de Sta. María Magdalena. In this part of town are small shops selling homemade products, as well as the homes of Ribadesella's inhabitants. The third part of Ribadesella consists of the Paseo Marítimo del Puerto, or the Maritime Avenue of the Port. The International Sella River Descent is a race that takes place every year on
64-770: The patron of fishermen. The Feria del Queso (Cheese Festival) de Cuerres and La Fiesta del Pez (Fish Festival) de Tereñes are other festivals celebrated throughout Ribadesella. Semana Santa, or Easter Week is very important in Ribadesella. Processions take place daily, and a great celebration, including a horse race/spectacular on the Santa Marina beach is held each year. Descent of the Sella. The "Guia". International Sella River Descent The International Sella River Descent (Spanish: Descenso Internacional del Sella , popularly known as Fiesta de las Piraguas )
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