Do You Know the History of the Hall of Mirrors at Las Caldas?

They say there are places where time seems to stand still. In others, like the Hall of Mirrors (Sala de los Espejos) at the Balneario Real of Las Caldas, it flows freely like the waters of its spring in the Asturian mountains, transporting you to another era without moving from where you are. There, between the same walls that hosted its first (and famous) visitors, you will feel its glow. But first, let’s set the scene: Oviedo, Asturias. Mid-19th century. After nearly a century of splendor, the most prestigious thermal retreat in Europe changed ownership and expanded to include new rooms and wellness services to cater to its guests’ sophisticated desires for relaxation. With that expansion, the legend of the Hall of Mirrors was born. If you don’t know it yet, start by closing your eyes and imagining opening them in the year 1878.

The Hall of Mirrors: A Bit of History

The history of Las Caldas began with its original construction in 1776, led by Manuel Reguera (perhaps you know him from the portico of the Santo Domingo de Oviedo convent-church), which was based on a neoclassical design by Ventura Rodríguez, considered “the last architect of the Spanish Baroque” and one of the first to adopt the new ideas of Neoclassicism in Asturias. When, in 1860, José González Alegre purchased the Las Caldas Spa, he aimed to undertake a renovation that emphasized its already well-established prestige. At that time, the thermal resort had the Bath House, which included kitchens, dining rooms, chapels, offices, various rooms and antechambers, a hydrotherapy room, and even halls with stoves and modern inhalation devices, in addition to a luxurious guesthouse, a medical area, and the bathing area itself, arranged around a romantic courtyard and the source of the mineral-medicinal waters, the heart of the complex. Around 1878, the González Alegre family decided to build another building to accommodate the influx of guests, connected to the first by an iron and glass gallery bridge over the Las Caldas-Oviedo road (the spa is just a ten-minute drive from the historic city center). Over time, a billiard room, a game room, and the Hall of Mirrors were also added. In the following years, the spa continued to expand with new wings supervised by architect J.M. de la Guardia.

This is the Hall of Mirrors

Three grand chandeliers. Ornate moldings shaped like flower bouquets and faux columns running along the walls, leaving a mythological aura. Vaulted ceilings, reliefs, and murals with neoclassical paintings. Large windows. Waxed wooden floors. And of course, mirrors. A profusion of mirrors framed in gold leaf, covering pastel-painted walls, multiplying the gaze to appreciate the timeless elegance of a room that today houses a 190 m² dining area for breakfasts and small banquets at the Gran Hotel Las Caldas. Originally, and following the spa layout trends of the time, the Hall of Mirrors consisted of two connected rooms: a smaller one housing the reading room, and the ballroom where evenings and concerts were held. Back then, an upright piano dominated the space, which occupied almost the entire second floor. The ceiling and wall paintings, rectangular and trapezoidal in shape, have been restored along with the rest of the room, and depict scenes linked to mythology and music. Now imagine yourself there again, in the very place where personalities like Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine spent their nights during their visits to the spa village.

Gran Hotel Las Caldas, Thermal Architecture from Then to Now

The thermal architecture of Las Caldas speaks not only of its past but also of its cultural and sensory connection to a present full of possibilities, and of how the mineromedicinal tradition of its waters has adapted to innovations each century, evolving into what it is today: one of the best wellness retreats in Asturias and in Spain. In this context, the Gran Hotel Las Caldas redefines the concept of spa and health, offering an immersive experience where you can stay in a five-star spa hotel with modern comforts but the charm of yesteryear. Planning a wellness trip? Need a break? Want to disconnect from routine while taking care of yourself in a magical, tailored environment? Everything at this adults-only accommodation in Oviedo is designed for your well-being. Among its many modern facilities, highlights include the Balneario Real, the Aquaxana circuit, El Manantial, the Wellness & Beauty area, and the Hall of Columns—another icon that deserves special attention.

The Hall of Columns: A Journey to the Golden Age of Spas

The Hall of Columns is inspired by the original neoclassical style of Las Caldas and its Hall of Mirrors. This space, one of the many wellness areas at Las Caldas Spa today, features a private thermal circuit that offers an intimate relaxation experience (alone or with a companion). You won’t want to leave its floatation pool, foot bath, overhead and contrast showers, Roman thermal bath, jacuzzi, treatment cabins, and relaxation area. The arches, stained glass rose window, and marble columns of its architecture will remind you again and again that you are in a unique hotel in the world, where every space and every moment lived is part of its history. Explore the Blau Hotels blog for more travel and accommodation inspiration for your next trips to Asturias.