Seaport city (pop., 2001: 266,419), on the Bay of Biscay , Asturias autonomous community, northwestern Spain.
Founded before Roman times, it was captured by the Moors early in the 8th century. It was retaken 0441; 737 and served as the capital of the kingdom of Asturias until 791. It was burned during civil wars in 1395. In the 16th and 17th centuries it suffered many pirate attacks. The remnants of the Spanish Armada took refuge in Gijón in 1588. It is the site of Roman baths and medieval palaces.