Once a “university of labour,” this magnificent complex, a city within a city, now plays host to a range of artistic and cultural programmes.
Past meets present at the Laboral City of Culture (Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura), a dynamic creative hub located in a grand, historic educational complex. Admire the architecture, visit an art exhibition, and time your visit to catch a performance.
The Laboral was originally intended to be a mining orphanage, only to be transformed initially into a labor university (vocational school) during its construction in the 1940s and 1950s. Generations of young Spaniards from all over the country passed through these vast and storied buildings while they learned their trades. In 2001, with the university having fallen into disrepair, the Asturian government reclaimed the site to establish a center for culture and the arts.
As you approach the Laboral, take a moment to appreciate the grand design of this vast complex. Built in the neo-Herrerian style, the structures boast an impressive geometric arrangement of arches and columns, best admired from the magnificent courtyard. Take in the careful decorations of the church, the largest in the world to have an elliptical floor, and experiment with camera angles to capture the proud stone watchtower that rises high above.
Take a guided tour through the complex or head on your own walk to explore the many new uses for this creatively adapted facility. Almost all of its 13 hectares (32 acres) of space are being used by more than 4,000 people. Stop by the main theater, which can seat around 2,000 people for its top-class artistic programming.
Head to the LABoral Center for Art and Industrial Creation, which presents multimedia exhibitions in contemporary art and communications technology. Recharge at the on-site café or restaurant, and relax in the landscaped gardens. The Laboral Cinemateca, devoted exclusively to cinema in Asturia and beyond, screens a wide array of films in an avant-garde auditorium called the Paraninfo.
The Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura is located just 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) from the center of Gijón, easily accessible by car or bus. There is a charge for entry, with discounts available for joint entry to the Atlantic Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico Atlántico) as well. Check online ahead of time for schedules and ticketing information.
