Santuario de la Virgen del Alba, Mountain sanctuary in Quirós, Spain
The Santuario de la Virgen del Alba is a sanctuary perched on the Peña de Alba in Quirós, Asturias, at around 1,200 feet (about 1,200 meters) above sea level. Inside, a single nave leads to a baroque altarpiece from the 18th century, where the statue of the Virgin is displayed with only the carved face, hands, and feet visible.
The sanctuary was given canonical status in 1581 through a papal bull issued by Pope Pius V, which formally recognized it as a pilgrimage site in Asturias. That recognition helped the place maintain its role as a gathering point for the faithful across the following centuries.
Every year on August 15, people from nearby villages like Lena, Morcín, Proaza, and Oviedo make the climb together to attend the pilgrimage. This shared effort gives the day a strong sense of community that has been passed down through many generations.
The sanctuary sits at high altitude and can only be reached by a steep climb through rough terrain, which becomes harder in wet or cold weather. Good footwear and layers of clothing are strongly recommended, especially outside the summer months.
Local legend says a girl named Maria found the statue of the Virgin inside a cave while searching for a lost goat kid near the village of Villar. This story has been passed down orally and is still told today as part of how the community explains the origin of the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
