10.- Historic town of Tineo
Capital of the council of the same name. Tineo is one of the great landmarks of the Primitive Way of Saint James. both for its long history linked to the Jacobean route and for the leading role played by this town in the rebirth of the Way which began during the final decades of the 20th century.
It has just under 4.000 inhabitants and sits on the side of a mountain formed by the Sierra de Tineo y Grullomayor. at an average altitude of 673 meters.
Tineo has traditionally been a nerve centre of southwestern Asturias. A medieval castle was built in the town and contributed to the control of this territory by the crown. Likewise. a Franciscan monastery. of which the church survives. was established in Tineo in the 13th century.
The link with the Way of Saint James is very relevant in Tineo. In the 13th century it already had a hospital for pilgrims. called Mater Christi. owner of a vast amount of property throughout the council of Tineo. whose most illustrious neighbours belonged to this institution. The hospital was located on the main street. next to the palace of the García de Tineo (today Cultural Centre). Nowadays. there are still remains of its factory and the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Mater Christi. which kept the cult until 1834. being then used as a theatre until its demolition in 1930. The hospital building was confiscated by the Government in 1799 and later. during the War of Independence. it would be used as a barracks. which accelerated the decay of the building. already manifested in the first decades of the 19th century.