Palace of Meres

Palacio de Meres is a 16th-century manor house standing in the village of Meres, within the municipality of Siero, in the heart of Asturias in northern Spain. Set among ten hectares of vineyards, gardens, woodland and apple orchards, the estate has stayed in the hands of a single family for more than five centuries — it's now run by the seventeenth generation.

Where does this manor come from?

The first structure on the site dates back to the first half of the 15th century, but the palace took its present form during a rebuild and expansion at the end of the 16th century. A stone coat of arms uncovered during roof restoration bears an inscription noting the reconstruction of 1590. The estate's first lord was Pedro Argüelles, known as "el Negro," a councillor of Oviedo, Siero and the seaports of the Principality of Asturias. The status he built for the property still stands today: on 4 May 1990 the complex was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's highest level of heritage protection.

What will you find on site?

At the heart of the estate is a stone manor house, reached along a path that winds through a small oak grove. Right beside it stands the Chapel of Santa Ana, which can hold up to a thousand people — one of the largest private chapels in the region. Inside the palace are period furniture, a porcelain collection and paintings gathered over generations by the same family. The grounds also include gardens, woodland and a vineyard, alongside apple orchards protected under the Sidra de Asturias designation of origin, where seven traditional and organically grown apple varieties are cultivated for Asturian cider production.

How do you get there?

Meres sits within the municipality of Siero, only a short drive from Oviedo and Asturias Airport, making the palace an easy day-trip destination from the central part of the region. The surrounding countryside is well suited to a walk that pairs the visit with classic Asturian scenery — green hills, orchards and stone farmsteads.

When and why should you visit?

Today Palacio de Meres functions mainly as a venue for weddings, banquets and corporate gatherings, and its interiors and grounds have repeatedly served as a film set, including for productions directed by José Luis Garci. Visitors can typically expect a tour of the historic core, a walk through the orchards and gardens, and, depending on the season, participation in apple-harvest activities. The estate blends the history of a noble residence with a living cider-making tradition, so spring or autumn — when the gardens and orchards are at their most scenic — are the best times to plan a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can the palace be visited independently? Palacio de Meres is a private property used mainly as an event venue and working farm, so visits usually take place as part of organized tours or during events open to the public.

What makes this heritage site special? Over five centuries of history under a single family, combined with its 1990 designation as a Bien de Interés Cultural, make it one of the most significant civil heritage sites in the Siero area.

Can a visit be combined with a cider tasting? The orchards on the estate fall under the Sidra de Asturias protected designation of origin, and apple production is an integral part of the estate's activity — it's worth asking about tasting options when booking a visit.

How many people can the Chapel of Santa Ana hold? The chapel adjoining the palace can seat up to a thousand people, making it one of the largest facilities of its kind in the area.