During the early years of the 19th century the, then very small, town of Gijón was best known for its college or high-school known as the"Real Instituto Asturiano" founded by Jovellanos.
The City Hall's sports and culture programs for citizens is wide, including the innovative Abierto Hasta el Amanecer (literally Open Till Dawn) nocturnal program, which tries to involve teens in cultural and sporting activities as an alternative to weekend nightlife.
Gijon has 13 libraries in its Cultural City Centers, which feature a wide network of swimming pools and gyms.
Museums and art galleries
Museum of the Asturian People
Railroad museum of Asturias
Nicanor Piñole museum
Roman Terms museum of Campo Valdés
Juan Barjola museum (A museum about a local painter, also interested in avant-garde art)
Evaristo Valle museum (Local painter museum placed in a mansion at the outskirts)
International Bagpipe Museum contains bagpipes from around the world, focusing on the Asturian musical heritage and bagpipes.
Atlantic botanical garden
Archaeological park Campa Torres.
Revillagigedo Palace and museum (At Marqués square, near the City Hall)
Gijón Aquarium
Roman Town of Veranes
LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (An exhibition centre for contemporary art, science, technology and advanced visual industries)
Universities
There are two universities located in Gijón, the University of Oviedo and the National University of Distance Education.
University of Oviedo
Polytechnic School of Engineering of Gijón.
Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronical Engineering, Computers and Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Telecommunication Engineering.
School of Civil Navy.
Faculty of
