Nava Cider Museum: A Local's Guide to Asturias' Liquid Soul
By Debra Rissmann
Stepping into the Museo de la Sidra in Nava feels like entering the beating heart of Asturian culture. Housed in a modern building in the Plaza Príncipe de Asturias, this 1,200 square meter temple to tradition isn't just a museum, it's a sensory journey into the region's most beloved tradition, one that continues to shape social life, agriculture, and identity throughout Asturias. As I wander through the exhibits, the air carries a faint apple tang, a promise of the stories waiting to unfold.
A Temple to Tradition
Nava, often called the "capital of cider" in Asturias, is the perfect setting for this tribute to the region's liquid soul. The museum, opened in 1996 by Prince Philip and now part of the Ethnographic Museums Network of Asturias, breaks away from conventional museum concepts. Instead of static displays, it offers an immersive experience that engages all senses as you discover the complete story of cider from apple to glass.
What struck me most during my first visit was how the museum presents cider not just as a beverage but as the thread that weaves together Asturian life. The history of this cherished drink dates back to at least the 1st century, when Roman writer Pliny the Elder noted its tart allure. Today, Asturias grows over 80 varieties of apples and produces an impressive 55 million liters of cider annually, a testament to its enduring cultural significance.
Traditional music, games, agriculture, social customs, and even regional identity are all explored through the lens of this golden elixir that has defined the region for centuries. The museum beautifully blends rustic stone and timber with modern interactive displays that capture the rhythmic "escanciado" pour that defines Asturian cider culture..
The Journey Through Cider Culture
The museum cleverly guides visitors through the entire cider-making process, beginning with apple cultivation. Interactive displays explain the importance of pollination, the growth cycle of apple trees, and the remarkable diversity of apple varieties that flourish in Asturian orchards.
Moving through the exhibition, you'll encounter traditional tools alongside modern equipment, showing how cider production has evolved while maintaining its essential character. Displays of 19th-century apple-crushing mallets and communal cider jugs connect the drink to Asturias' rural soul. The careful process of harvesting, pressing, fermentation, and bottling comes alive through demonstrations and detailed explanations.
What makes this museum special is how it contextualizes cider within Asturian life. One section recreates a traditional "llagar" (cider press), complete with a 17th-century "mayu" (a massive wooden press), while another presents an authentic "chigre" (cider house) with barrels and glasses. Displays of bagpipes and "tonada" folk songs evoke the lively atmosphere of the chigre, where locals gather to sip and sing. These environments help visitors understand not just how cider is made, but how it's enjoyed and the social rituals that surround it.
The museum also features a surprising collection of memorabilia, including posters from the 1900s advertising sidrerías as places of camaraderie and a fascinating display of vintage champagne-style cider labels that showcase the graphic design and marketing evolution of the product over decades.
Far from being a passive experience, the Museo de la Sidra encourages participation. Interactive screens let you "plant" virtual apple trees, while a sensory booth mimics the fizz of fermentation. Kids can turn a virtual apple press or practice the high pour of a "culín" (the small amount of cider served in each glass).
One of the highlights is learning about the distinctive Asturian pouring technique called "escanciar," where cider is poured from high above the glass to aerate it and enhance its flavor. The museum offers visitors the chance to try this technique themselves, something that invariably results in spilled cider and much laughter for first-timers like myself.
For those interested in Asturian culture beyond cider, the museum includes displays on traditional sports like bowling and musical instruments such as the bagpipe, both closely associated with cider consumption in rural communities. There's even an electronic bagpipe that visitors can try, adding a playful element to the cultural education.
Each visitor's experience culminates with a tasting of "un culín de sidra espicha'o" a small pour of cider served in the traditional way. The sharp, dry flavor dances on your tongue, a perfect cap to the tour and a practical demonstration of what you've learned throughout the museum.
Beyond the Main Exhibition
The museum extends beyond its main building to include two outdoor areas: a recreational space and an apple orchard that demonstrates the cultivation methods discussed inside. The orchard showcases 20 apple varieties, including local Regona and Raxao, their branches heavy with fruit in late summer. These areas provide a pleasant place to reflect on what you've learned while enjoying the characteristic Asturian green landscape against the backdrop of Nava's rolling hills.
For visitors wanting to deepen their cider knowledge, the museum offers various masterclasses, including specialized sessions on proper pouring technique. These classes typically cost around €10 per person and require advance booking through the museum's website.
Admission Fees:
General (Adults 16+): €5
Seniors (65+): €4
Youth (6-16 years): €3
Children (3-5 years): €2
Infants (0-2 years): Free
Pets: Welcome at no charge
Tour Options: Self-guided or guided tours are available, with all tickets including a cider tasting. The complete tour takes approximately 60-90 minutes. Multilingual audio guides are available for self-guided tours.
Accessibility: The facilities are fully adapted for visitors with any disability, with a single-story layout featuring ramps and wide pathways.
Parking: Ample free parking surrounds the building.
Debra brings over 25 years of hospitality expertise to Asturias Vacations, combining her passion for authentic travel experiences with deep local knowledge. As our cultural storyteller, she uncovers the hidden narratives that make each Asturian destination extraordinary - from ancient traditions to contemporary culinary innovations. When not exploring remote villages or testing the latest restaurant recommendations, Debra can be found in our Arcenoyu apartments, planning the perfect itineraries for guests seeking genuine Asturian experiences.
