Covadonga

Covadonga is a historic site and parish in Asturias, Spain, located in the municipality of Cangas de Onís. It sits in the Cantabrian Mountains and is renowned for the Holy Cave (La Santa Cueva), the Sanctuary of Covadonga, and the Lagos de Covadonga (Lagos de Enol and Lagos de Ercina), a popular natural and cultural destination in the Picos de Europa region.

Geographically, the Lagos de Covadonga are two glacial lakes at high altitude within the Picos de Europa National Park, accessible via a mountain road from Cangas de Onís. The Sanctuary complex combines the Holy Cave with the Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga and the Pantheon of the Kings of Asturias, forming a major religious and cultural site.

Historically, Covadonga is associated with the early medieval resistance to Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula. In 722, Pelagius of Asturias is said to have achieved a pivotal victory at Covadonga, commonly cited as the beginning of the Christian Reconquista. The Holy Cave has long been revered as the hermitage of the Virgin of Covadonga, contributing to the site's sacred status.

Today, Covadonga holds symbolic significance for Asturias and Spain. The sanctuary remains a place of pilgrimage and devotion, while the surrounding lakes and mountainous landscape attract hikers and visitors as part of the Picos de Europa National Park. The area embodies both historical memory and natural beauty, making Covadonga a notable landmark in northern Spain.