In the eastern reaches of Asturias, Spain, a distinctive architectural landscape emerges – vibrant, colorful homes adorned with palm trees and ornate galleries, a stark contrast to the region’s traditional rural aesthetic. These are the casonas de indianos, or “Indian houses,” built by Asturian emigrants who amassed fortunes in the Americas and returned to their homeland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
For decades, Asturians sought opportunities abroad, particularly in Cuba, Mexico, and Argentina. Those who succeeded often invested their wealth back into their communities, constructing elaborate homes that served as both a testament to their success and a symbol of their renewed social standing. The concentration of these homes is particularly notable in the locality of Colombres, in Ribadedeva, which has grow the focal point of a dedicated route for exploring these unique structures.
The architectural styles of these homes are diverse, ranging from modernism to neoclassicism, reflecting the tastes and influences encountered during their time abroad. Many feature exotic gardens, including palm trees, deliberately chosen to evoke the status they had achieved in the New World. The houses weren’t simply residences. they were statements.
The phenomenon began around 1870, with early examples being relatively austere cubic structures. Over time, these evolved to incorporate galleries, balconies, and ornate facades, often built by local master builders who copied designs from magazines or adapted plans from houses in Havana or Buenos Aires. By the mid-20th century, approximately 250 of these homes had been constructed across Asturias, representing a significant architectural and cultural legacy.
The return of these emigrants, known as “Indianos,” wasn’t merely about building grand homes. It also impacted the municipal landscape. The influx of wealth contributed to the development of towns and villages throughout the region. Historian Virginia Casielles notes that the typical emigrant was young, often leaving around the age of twelve when passage became more expensive, and endured grueling work conditions – often living at their workplace and working long hours – before achieving success in businesses related to textiles, tobacco, or sugar cane.
One prominent example is the mansion built by Víctor Sánchez Escalante, a testament to the fortunes made and brought back from America. The homes stand as a physical manifestation of a period of significant migration and economic exchange between Asturias and the Americas, a legacy preserved in stone and continuing to draw visitors to the region.
