In Spain there are many pueblos with names that attract attention. One of the most curious is The Whistlea small town in the north of the country that, beyond its striking name, hides a rich history, artistic heritage and landscapes that combine sea and mountains.
Located in the parish of Piñera, within the council of Cudillero, this corner of the Principality of Asturias It is located very close to the Cantabrian coast and a few minutes from one of the most picturesque fishing villages in the country.
What is the history and origin of «El pito»
He Topknown in Asturian as The Pituis a population entity with just a few dozen inhabitants. Historical documents already mentioned it in the mid-19th century, when it was part of the municipality of Cudillero and had just over a hundred residents dedicated mainly to the agriculture.
The geographical-statistical-historical dictionary of Spain by Pascual Madoz, published in 1849, describes the place as a place located on a fertile plain near the sea, where corn, broad beans, barley and other agricultural products were grown.
With the passage of time, the population It was decreasing and today it is a small rural center that preserves its tranquility and its traditional character.
Although his name usually raises smiles among those who hear it for the first time, the origin of «The Whistle» is not related to the colloquial meaning it has in modern Spanish.
The name appears historically recorded as The Pitu in the Asturian language, a traditional form used in the region. As is the case with many pueblos from the north of Spainits origin is linked to local linguistic evolution and the way place names were pronounced over the centuries.
El Pito: Historic church, Indian legacy and the «Asturian Versailles».
He Top It is especially known for housing one of the most important architectural complexes in Asturias: the Palace or Quinta de Selgas, an impressive 19th century complex that is often nicknamed the «Asturian Versailles.»
Built between 1880 and 1895 by the Selgas family, this palace preserves much of its original decoration and functions practically as a museum. Inside you can find works by artists such as Francisco de Goya and El Greco, as well as furniture, porcelain, tapestries and objects from different periods.
The complex also has historic gardens of about ten hectares, designed with French and English influences, which make it one of the most important landscape spaces in the north of Spain.
Another of the notable places of the pueblo is the Iglesia of Jesús de Nazareno, built between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th thanks to the patronage of the Selgas family.
Its neo-Romanesque architecture, stained glass windows and its historic crypt, where one of the oldest religious altars in Spainmake it a must-see stop for visitors.
A place linked to the Camino de Santiago
The Whistle It is also located near the Camino del Norte, one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago that runs along the Cantabrian coast from the Basque Country to Galicia.
For this reason, many pilgrims pass through the area attracted by its coastal landscapes, the Cantabrian cliffs and the proximity of emblematic places such as natural beaches and viewpoints over the sea.
Although it is not a massive tourist destination, El Top It surprises those who visit it for its cultural heritage, its history linked to the Indians, emigrants who returned from America, and its privileged natural environment.
