Covadonga (
Asturian: ''Cuadonga'', from ''cova domnica'' "Cave of
Our Lady"
[Juan Gil Fernández, José L. Moralejo, Juan Ignacio Ruiz de la Peña, ''Crónicas asturianas'', Universidad de Oviedo, 1985,
p. 203.]) is one of 11
parishes
A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or m ...
in
Cangas de Onís
Cangas de Onís ( Asturian: ''Cangues d'Onís'' "valleys of Onís"'' Canga'' (plural ''cangues'') is an Asturian word for "valley, canyon".) is a municipality in the eastern part of the province and autonomous community of Asturias in the nor ...
, a
municipality within the province and
autonomous community of
Asturias, in Northwestern
Spain. It is situated in the
Picos de Europa mountains.
With a permanent population of 58 (2008), it consists essentially of the "Real Sitio de Covadonga"/"Real Sitiu de Cuadonga" also known as the "cradle of Spain", a pilgrimage site dedicated to
Our Lady of Covadonga/Cuadonga and commemorating the
Battle of Covadonga of 718/722.
History
The
Battle of Covadonga of c. 722 was the first Christian victory in the Iberian Peninsula over the Arabs
invading from north Africa under the
Umayyad banner, and is often considered to be the start of the almost eight centuries-long effort to expel Muslim rulers governing
Iberia during the ''
Reconquista''.
Our Lady of Covadonga is a significant
Marian shrine. The
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army ( es, Ejército de Tierra, lit=Land Army) is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies — dating back to the late 15th century.
The ...
has, over the years, named several of its units "Covadonga".
In the mountains above the town are located the two
lakes of Covadonga, Enol and Ercina, and the road leading to the lakes is often featured in the
Vuelta a España bicycle race.
Sanctuary
The
Sanctuary of Covadonga is a monument dedicated to
Our Lady of Covadonga that commemorates the
Battle of Covadonga. It comprises the
*''
Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga
Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga is a Catholic church located in Covadonga/Cuadonga, Cangas de Onís/Cangues d'Onís, Asturias, Spain, that was designated as basilica on September 11, 1901.
The temple was designed by the Ger ...
'' ("Basilica of Saint Mary the Royal of Covadonga"), a church built in the 19th century to a design by
Roberto Frassinelli
Roberto Frassinelli (1811–1887) was a German archaeologist, naturalist, bibliophile
Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. A bibliophile or bookworm is an individual who loves and frequently reads and/or collects books.
Prof ...
,
*''
Santa Cueva de Covadonga'' ("Holy Cave of Covadonga"), in which the bodies of Kings
Pelagius and
Alfonso I lie,
*
Collegiate church of Nuestra Señora de Covadonga
The Royal Collegiate church of San Fernando (Spanish: ''Real Colegiata de San Fernando'') is a collegiate church located in the parish of Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, Asturias, Spain. It was declared ''Bien de Interés Cultural'' in 1884.
It is t ...
, built in the 16th century and declared a ''
Bien de Interés Cultural'' ("Property of Cultural Interest") in 1884,
*''Monasterio de San Pedro'' ("Monastery of Saint Peter"), and
*Esplanade, with the Museum of the ''Real Sitio de Covadonga'' ("Royal Site of Covadonga").
Gallery
File:CovadongaCathedral2.jpg, Basilica of Santa María la Real of Covadonga
File:Cueva de Santa María - Covadonga.JPG, Cueva de Santa María
File:Santa Cueva de Covadonga.jpg, Hermitage
File:Casa Capitular (Covadonga).jpg, Chapter House
File:Vigendecovadnonga2.JPG
File:ErcinaLakeHorse.jpg, A horse eats grass beside Lake Ercina
Lake Ercina is a small highland lake in Asturias, Spain. It is located in the Picos de Europa, in the Cantabrian Mountains. Situated next to Lake Enol, together, they forms the group known as Lakes of Covadonga within the Picos de Europa National ...
See also
*
Battle of Covadonga
*
Lakes of Covadonga
*
Count of Covadonga
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility.L. G. Pine, Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty'' ...
*
Countess of Covadonga
*
Spanish schooner ''Virgen de Covadonga''
References
External links
CovadongaReal sitio de Covadonga
Parishes in Cangas de Onis
Reconquista
Picos de Europa
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