Santuario de la Virgen de la Cueva, Cave sanctuary in Infiesto, Spain

The Santuario de la Virgen de la Cueva is a pilgrimage sanctuary near Infiesto, in Asturias, built inside a natural rock shelter carved into a limestone cliff. Several chapels have been constructed within this cave formation, fitting the religious spaces around the natural shape of the rock.

The sanctuary has been documented since the 16th century and gradually grew into a regional center of worship. Over the following centuries, chapels were built within the rock shelter to accommodate the increasing number of pilgrims arriving from across the region.

The name comes from the cave where a Portuguese nobleman, turned hermit, kept a small image of the Virgin; the Lord of the Tower of Lodeña later promoted its worship after finding the hermit dead. The cedar carving, about 45 cm high, bears a "V" on its chest, which some link to Villanueva. It was restored in 1985 by Juan José García Castañedo.

The sanctuary is reached by a path through the surrounding landscape, and sturdy footwear is a good idea for the uneven terrain. Inside the cave formation, temperatures are noticeably cooler and the air tends to be damp, so bringing an extra layer of clothing is advisable.

The cedar carving of the Virgin, about 45 cm tall, bears a "V" engraved on her chest; some link it to the surname Villanueva because the same mark recurs on similar carvings. The image was restored in 1985 by Juan José García Castañedo.