Eva Longoria has a deep connection to Asturias, specifically to the village of Llongoria, where her ninth great-grandfather was born.
With only 28 inhabitants, this small parish in Belmonte de Miranda is her dream place to live, where she claims "life is lived more slowly."
The 17th-century manor house of the Longoria family, currently in ruins, is the symbol of her roots.
Eva Longoria is a lover of Spain, and unlike other Hollywood stars, she does not settle for the Golden Coast and southern beaches. Her dream is located among the mountains, in a northern village so small that its last census counted only 28 inhabitants. It is an Asturian village where the actress has roots. Her ninth great-grandfather, Lorenzo Suárez de Longoria, was originally from this small corner of Spain. "I go to my village," she says when she heads to that magical place where, she assures, "life is lived more slowly."
Eva Longoria, actress and philanthropist:I go to my village. I will clearly drink cider and eat cheese. My family is Asturian. That's why I have been coming to Spain for 20 years. Here I feel at home.
LLONGORIA: EVA LONGORIA'S ANCESTRAL VILLAGE
› Location: Belmonte de Miranda, Asturias.
› Population: 28 inhabitants.
› Key site: Casa de Longoria (17th-century manor, currently in ruins).
› Celebrity connection: Eva Longoria's ninth great-grandfather was from here.
› Her wish: To restore the Casa de Longoria and live there.
A VILLAGE LOST AMONG MOUNTAINS
On the slopes of the Sierra del Pedroriu, this haven of peace is hidden. The village actually gives rise to the actress's surname. It is Llongoria, a small village belonging to the parish of San Martín de Lodón. It is a place to enjoy the charm of the rural world, with stone streets and the intense green that springs from the fertile meadows of the Narcea river. Among its houses, a stately 17th-century mansion stands out, which is part of the actress's family history. The estate is private property but still bears the coat of arms of the Longoria family, from whom the Mexican actress descends. It is in ruins and can only be seen from the road. Eva's dream would be to renovate it and give it a new life.
I was telling my husband, "Pepe, I want it," to which he replied that "it's not a house, it's just stones. But maybe it can be fixed..."
Beyond Llongoria, the surroundings offer hiking trails, Atlantic forests and villages such as Almurfe and Silvouta, with centuries-old hórreos, stone fountains and well-preserved traditional architecture. Nearby, the Somiedo Natural Park and the Muniellos Biosphere Reserve allow visitors to explore one of the most biodiverse areas in Europe. Belmonte de Miranda, the capital of the council, welcomes travellers with its Indiano architecture, local products such as honey and cider, and a growing network of rural accommodation.
GASTRONOMY AND SURROUNDINGS
› Cheeses: Asturias has more than 40 types (Cabrales, Afuega'l Pitu, Gamonéu, Casín).
› Cider: The actress enjoys "machu" (cider) on every visit.
› Typical dish: Fabada, a favourite of Eva Longoria.
› Nearby attractions: Somiedo Natural Park, Muniellos Biosphere Reserve.
› Activities: Hiking, birdwatching, tasting local products.
CIDER, CHEESE AND THE ASTURIAN ESSENCE
On her visits to Asturias, Longoria never misses the chance to enjoy the most Asturian flavour: cider, which in Asturias is also called "machu," and which is more than a drink, it is a tradition. Made exclusively with apples from the region, it is a tourist attraction for nationals and foreigners. It is a symbol of hospitality and celebration, and one of the great pleasures of northern Spain. It is drunk in a ritual, shared with family and poured with a gesture as theatrical as it is emblematic. Asturias is also the Spanish region with the most designations and varieties of cheese per square metre. More than 40 types of artisan cheese are produced, many of them in small rural dairies. From Llongoria, visitors can explore the Ría Miranda, visit traditional farmhouses and enjoy gentle hiking in the area.
It's so beautiful in northern Spain. And I'm getting fatter! I'll drink, clearly, cider, and I'll eat cheese.
For InasTour, the story of Eva Longoria and her love for Llongoria is a perfect example of the magnetism that Asturias exerts on those who discover it. The region offers not only exceptional natural beauty and gastronomy, but also a deep connection to history and roots, values that are increasingly appreciated by international buyers seeking a home with meaning.
THE ESSENCE OF LLONGORIA
› Atmosphere: Tranquillity, hospitality and rural charm.
› Architecture: Stone streets, hórreos, 17th-century manor house.
› Tradition: Cider and cheese are cultural symbols.
› Slow life: An invitation to reconnect with the essential.
› Message: A place that does not pretend to impress; it simply is.
Llongoria does not pretend to impress. It simply is. And in that honesty lies its magic: an invitation to reconnect with the essential, in an Asturias that still resists being fully discovered.
The story of Eva Longoria and her village Llongoria is a beautiful testament to the power of roots and the attraction of Asturias. This small corner, with its stone streets, its lush nature and its traditions such as cider and cheese, represents the essence of a region that captivates all who visit it. For those seeking a life away from the noise, where time passes slowly and authenticity is valued, Asturias and its hidden villages offer a unique and transformative experience.
ORIGINAL REPORT
This article was originally published by National Geographic. You can read the original version here: National Geographic — Eva Longoria reveals the place in Spain she always returns to: "I go to my village. I will drink cider and eat cheese"