28.- Historic town of Villaviciosa The town of Maliayo was founded by King Alfonso X in 1270 due to his policy of repopulation of the Cantabrian fringe (taking in 1277 its current name of Villaviciosa). The town was walled. its interior space organised around two main streets (Calle del Sol and Calle del Agua). next to which were several noble houses and the church of La Oliva. Villaviciosa used to have a hospital for pilgrims. denominated Sancti Spiritus. of which they are news from the 15th century to the 19th century. although its foundation is likely prior to that period. The hospital. of great dimensions for Asturias. was located on the street of the Sun. in a place where the Graduate Schools now stand. next to the church of La Oliva. The hospital used to have with twelve beds in the 18th century. abundant bedclothes. a kitchen and a chapel. The documentation (books registers of the parish) recollects dozens of testimonies related to the death in this hospital of pilgrims of very diverse origins. especially French. German and Italian. In the year 1484. the town was devastated by a fire. receiving direct aid from the Catholic Monarchs for its reconstruction. An interesting point in its history was the landing of Emperor Charles I in the town of Tazones and his stay for four days in Villaviciosa. The town. like other medieval towns. was surrounded by a wall of which some segments are still preserved. The growth of the town over the centuries adapted to the layout of the enclosure wall. From an architectural point of view. Villaviciosa has an important number of emblazoned houses. built with ashlar and stonework. There are also several traditional constructions. painted in white and with one or two floors. Throughout the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. houses with glazed galleries or corridors on the top floor were built. Moreover. two interesting buildings such as the Town Hall and the Market must be mentioned. In addition to the valuable civil hamlet. Villaviciosa preserves important religious works. such as the church of Santa María de la Oliva. the church of the Franciscan Fathers or the convent of the Capuchin Poor Clares.