Covadonga, Catholic pilgrimage church in Picos de Europa National Park, Spain
Covadonga is a Catholic pilgrimage site inside Picos de Europa National Park in the Asturias region. A neo-Romanesque basilica built from rose-colored limestone stands near a cave chapel carved into the mountainside, positioned directly above a natural grotto.
A battle occurred at this location in 722, when Christian fighters led by Pelayo pushed back Moorish troops for the first time. This victory is traditionally seen as the starting point of the Reconquista, which lasted several centuries.
Pilgrims venerate a small carved statue of the Virgin called La Santina, displayed inside the rocky chapel surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles. Visitors often collect water from the natural spring flowing below the cave, believed to carry healing properties for those who take it home.
Buses and cars climb from Cangas de Onís, with parking areas located at different heights along the winding mountain road. Arriving early morning or after midday helps avoid crowds around the chapel and makes finding a parking spot easier.
The chapel sits roughly 12 meters (40 feet) above a waterfall that flows directly from the rock face into a small pool below. This natural integration of rushing water into the architecture adds another layer of wonder for anyone visiting the site.
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