As early as the reign of Alfonso II, the Chaste (791-842) Oviedo has already become an important centre of Church activity, which, along with the secular aristocracy, comprises a privileged population group requiring sumptuary goods, including weavings, gold- and silversmithing and the like, which in turn leads to the advent of lively trade. As of the 11th century, the economic prosperity of the mediaeval western world reaches this region as well, with the concomitant increase in trade and crafts. In the 12th century, this economic activity is bolstered by the arrival of pilgrims from Saint James Way who flock to the city to visit the relics kept in the Cathedral’s holy repository. The first major market was located around the Cimadevilla area, which many pilgrims traversed after crossing the gateway at the entrance to the city, a place which would later become Oviedo’s economic centre.
It is probable that the fundamental core of economic activity was provided by the Jewish population, living in the area of Cimadevilla“desde la porta del castiello ata la porta nova de Socastiello...” (Old Spanish)-, to which they were confined by the Ordinances of the Council of 1274, regulating various aspects of urban life and containing various specific provisions concerning the Jewish population, among others, their location within the city.

As time passed, the founding of the University (at the beginning of the 17th century) added a further factor for growth to the Episcopal nature of the city. The increase in the urban population and the proximity of rural settlements encouraged diversification of commercial activity: potters, tailors, shoemakers, blacksmiths etc. The increase in the number of day-labourers and the progressive integration of the nobility from surrounding rural areas into the life of Oviedo, encouraged the stratification of different levels of social class and of consumption.