A 100-year-old Asturian palace lists for €4.9 million. The sale tests whether northern Spain's historic properties can command premium prices in today's luxury market.

The Big Picture Spain's luxury real estate has long centered on Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella, and the Balearics. But a subtle shift is underway. Discerning buyers increasingly value uniqueness, history, and scarcity over predictable sun-and-beach formulas. Properties in regions like Asturias, Cantabria, and Galicia offer something different: architectural heritage, natural settings, and escape from overtourism.

Villa María exemplifies this trend. Built during Asturias' late-19th-century industrial boom, the palace occupies Somió—Gijón's most exclusive residential enclave. It's not merely a large house; it's a preserved artifact from an era when the local bourgeoisie built grand summer retreats near the San Lorenzo beachfront.

“"We're looking at a truly unrepeatable property, not just for its architectural value and state of preservation, but for its ability to adapt to different high-level uses."”

Why It Matters At **€4.9 million**, this is currently Asturias' highest-priced residential listing. What justifies that figure? **1,300 square meters** of original construction, **24 rooms** largely intact, and a protected Victorian garden spanning **7,000 square meters**.

The garden might be the most valuable component. Privately owned gardens with integral protection are exceptionally rare in northern Spain. Villa María's features century-old species like Canary Island palms, Lebanese cedars, and Japanese camellias—a botanical collection impossible to recreate. The protection limits what a new owner could do with the land but ensures its preservation as a heritage asset.

Listed through Veri Corral, the property stands out in a market with few comparable assets. Beyond private residence use, it has occasionally hosted events, suggesting potential for mixed high-end applications. In an era where experience and exclusivity often outweigh raw square footage, Villa María represents a different category of real estate asset.