successful (continuously populated) European town in what is now the United States, San Agustín (now St. Augustine, Florida). St. Augustine and Avilés are now sister cities. Avilés is also the birthplace of Juan Carreño de Miranda, court painter to the king Charles II. The estuary, which had been closed to navigation since the early modern era, was partially drained and cleared in the 19th century. The water inlet dividing the place was covered, so that the two nuclei, Sabugo and La Villa, could be joined together. Then the city began to grow outside the medieval wall, which had been demolished in 1818. In the 20th century, there was an enormous growth in population due to the arrival of several large factories to the town. In 1953 were started the first earthworks for the construction of the factory of ENSIDESA, a large steel mill, currently Aceralia (part of ArcelorMittal); other companies in the area are Cristalería Española, which together with ENDASA, currently Alcoa, transformed Avilés into one of Spain's industrial centres. Nowadays, the city is trying to focus on new industries, particularly cultural tourism, and recover its antique flavour. Culture Architecture Sights include: St. Thomas of Canterbury church (dating from the 13th century) Church of Saint Nicholas of Bari (12th-13th century), in Romanesque style , the sole example of civil medieval architecture in the town (1700–1706) , fortified in its north façade against the English pirates , a 14th-century funerary monument in Romanesque-Gothic transition style Old church of Sabugo (13th century) , in Modernist style Palacio Valdés Theatre, in Neobaroque style Museums and arts centres Museum of Avilés Urban History Black Pottery Museum Alfercam Museum, where visitors can find a combination of world musical instruments and vintage cars. , including the Bances Candamo public library, art gallery, reading and study areas. CMAE - - arts and exhibicion centre in El Arbolón area, not far from the town centre. Oscar Niemeyer International Cultural Centre, designed by the Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. It is a magnet for different personalities, including winners of the Prince of Asturias Awards, the Nobel prize, musicians, actors, the United Nations, etc. Sculptures Throughout the town there are sculptures in various styles: the set of sculptures in El Muelle park, specially the Pedro Menendez sculpture and (the seal); the set of sculptures along the Avilés estuary; Avilés sculpture, and others such as , (The Man who Listens to the