There are concrete reminders of Asturian emigration throughout the region. One that I found particularly poignant is the Monumento a La Madre Asturiana (Monument to the Asturian Mother).
This large statue stands on the oceanside boulevard of Gijon, a port city on the Cantabrian coast. It depicts the image of a sad woman waving goodbye, presumably to a ship carrying her children to a new world. Children that she knows she will probably never see again.
Cangas de Onis, a small town near Picos de Europa National Park is famous for its centuries old Roman Bridge.
Just a few steps from this bridge sits another emigration related sight, the statue to the Asturian emigrant.
How many Hispanic Americans can look at this statue and imagine their ancestor leaving everything they know, with all their possessions in a little pressed cardboard suitcase, their eyes focusing on what they hoped is a promising future in the Americas.
Many emigrants returned home to stay after becoming successful. These were called “Indianos” in reference to their travels to the Indies. These Indianos built large and impressive homes in Asturias reflecting their newly acquired wealth. Many of these “casas de Indianos” or Indiano homes are still standing today.