San Martín de Oscos
Encyclopedia
San Martín de Oscos is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias. It is bordered on the north by Illano
, on the south by Grandas de Salime
, on the east by Pesoz
and on the west by Santa Eulalia de Oscos
and Villanueva de Oscos
.
, as witnessed by tumulus remains found in Os Pedrousos (Teixera).
There are also remains of ancient mine workings at Arruñada, Piorno, Covas del Resalao, and in the Sotuelo and Ahío valleys.
There are remains of ancient fortified settlements at San Isidro and Pico de la Mina, near to Bousoño, both situated in elevated positions clearly motivated by defensive considerations. The defensive nature is underlined by ditches, walls and stones embedded in the surrounding ground to hinder approach. A gold diadem thought to originate from this culture was found in Valderreixe.
The existence of mineral wealth also attracted outsiders. In Tabladas and on the banks of the river Santalla traces of Roman smelting works have been found, including stone crucibles and slag heaps.
During the medieval period
San Martín, together with neighbouring Santa Eulalia
and the rest of the Castropol
district, was granted to the church in Oviedo
by King Alfonso VII in 1154.
This dependency on the bishopric continued until 1584 at which time King Felipe II
was liquidating church assets. With the authorisation of Pope Benedict XIII
, the bishopric's lands were being sold to the local inhabitants as independent municipalities, to pay for the successive wars in which Spain had been involved. In that year an application, submitted in 1583, was approved and San Martín achieved the status of 'Villa' or town.
In the early 19th century numerous 'mozos' or lads from the Oscos joined the troops of Castropol in the War of Independence from French occupation.
Illano
Illano is a municipality in the Principality of Asturias Spanish autonomous community. It is bordered on the north by Boal, on the south by San Martín de Oscos, on the east by Boal, Villayón and Allande, and on the west by Villanueva de Oscos and...
, on the south by Grandas de Salime
Grandas de Salime
Grandas de Salime is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is famous for its hydroelectric dam across the Navia River, forming the Embalse de Salime...
, on the east by Pesoz
Pesoz
Pesoz is a municipality and the only parish in that municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is one of the least populated municipalities in Asturias. It is bordered on the north by Illano, on the south by Grandas de Salime, on the east by Allande and on...
and on the west by Santa Eulalia de Oscos
Santa Eulalia de Oscos
Santa Eulalia de Oscos is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain...
and Villanueva de Oscos
Villanueva de Oscos
Villanueva de Oscos is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is bordered on the north by Vegadeo and Castropol, on the south by San Martín and Santa Eulalia de Oscos, on the east by Illano and San Martín, and on the west by Taramundi.-Parishes:*San...
.
History
The first known human presence in the territory of San Martín goes back to the neolithic periodNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
, as witnessed by tumulus remains found in Os Pedrousos (Teixera).
There are also remains of ancient mine workings at Arruñada, Piorno, Covas del Resalao, and in the Sotuelo and Ahío valleys.
There are remains of ancient fortified settlements at San Isidro and Pico de la Mina, near to Bousoño, both situated in elevated positions clearly motivated by defensive considerations. The defensive nature is underlined by ditches, walls and stones embedded in the surrounding ground to hinder approach. A gold diadem thought to originate from this culture was found in Valderreixe.
The existence of mineral wealth also attracted outsiders. In Tabladas and on the banks of the river Santalla traces of Roman smelting works have been found, including stone crucibles and slag heaps.
During the medieval period
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
San Martín, together with neighbouring Santa Eulalia
Santa Eulalia de Oscos
Santa Eulalia de Oscos is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain...
and the rest of the Castropol
Castropol
-Parishes:It has nine parishes :* Balmonte* Barres* Castropol* Figueras* Moldes* Piñera* Presno* Seares* Tol...
district, was granted to the church in Oviedo
Oviedo
Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city....
by King Alfonso VII in 1154.
This dependency on the bishopric continued until 1584 at which time King Felipe II
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
was liquidating church assets. With the authorisation of Pope Benedict XIII
Pope Benedict XIII
-Footnotes:...
, the bishopric's lands were being sold to the local inhabitants as independent municipalities, to pay for the successive wars in which Spain had been involved. In that year an application, submitted in 1583, was approved and San Martín achieved the status of 'Villa' or town.
In the early 19th century numerous 'mozos' or lads from the Oscos joined the troops of Castropol in the War of Independence from French occupation.