Monument to Fernando Valdés Salas

The Monument to Fernando Valdés Salas stands in the cloister of the historic building of the University of Oviedo, on Calle San Francisco, right in the heart of the Asturian capital. It is one of more than a hundred urban sculptures scattered across the streets of Oviedo, yet this one carries particular weight — it honours the founder of the very institution in whose courtyard it stands.

Fernando de Valdés y Salas was a 16th-century clergyman and jurist who funded the University of Oviedo out of his own pocket in 1568. The city also owes him the San Gregorio College and a college for orphaned girls, institutions that reshaped education in the region for centuries to come. The monument is the city's lasting tribute to a benefactor whose decision, made four and a half centuries ago, turned Oviedo into a major academic centre of northern Spain.

The sculpture itself was created by Cipriano Folgueras Doiztúa and cast in bronze by the Asturian founder Vicente Villazón. It was completed in September 1908, exactly three hundred and forty years after the university's founding — a date that fits neatly into the wave of monuments raised to civic benefactors across Spanish cities at the turn of the 20th century.

How to get there?

The monument sits inside the Historic Building of the University of Oviedo (Edificio Histórico), accessible from Calle San Francisco. This is the city centre, an easy walk from Oviedo Cathedral and Plaza Alfonso II el Casto — the whole route takes only a few minutes on foot. The nearest bus stops are by the adjacent San Francisco Park, and Oviedo-Renfe train station is roughly 15 minutes away on foot.

What will you see?

The sculpture depicts Valdés Salas in the formal, commemorative style typical of the period, set within the university's stately cloister — itself a Renaissance architectural landmark. It is worth taking time to walk the courtyard slowly: the stone arcades, the hush of the academic interior, and the building's historical weight combine into an experience where the monument feels like a natural centrepiece rather than a standalone attraction.

When to visit?

The university building can be visited during its opening hours, ideally on weekdays outside exam periods, when student traffic doesn't crowd the cloister. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking around Oviedo, avoiding both the summer heat and the frequent rain typical of Asturian winters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Fernando de Valdés Salas? A 16th-century clergyman and jurist who, in 1568, personally funded the founding of the University of Oviedo, as well as the San Gregorio College and a college for orphaned girls.

Who created the monument? The sculpture was made by Cipriano Folgueras Doiztúa and cast in bronze by Vicente Villazón in 1908.

Is entry to the university courtyard free? The cloister of the Historic Building is generally open to visitors during the building's opening hours, with no admission charge.

Is the monument the only reason to visit this spot? No — the Historic Building itself, with its cloister and architecture, is just as compelling a reason to visit as the monument to its founder.