This is one of the most important centres in Asturias. Way back in 722, the Reconquest started there, and according to the chronicles, Pelayo defeated the Arabs. Before reaching the Sanctuary, in the area of Repelao, legend has it that Pelayo was proclaimed King. This is commemorated by the Obelisk that stands there, which was constructed by the order of the Princes of Spain in 1857.
Our visit to the Sanctuary starts off by taking a look at the two lions made of Carrara marble.
On the left, in an opening in mount Auseva, is the Holy Grotto, overlooking the lake that flows in the form of a waterfall into the river Deva; beneath the waterfall is the Fountain of the Seven Pipes.
A popular Asturian song exists about this fountain, which says"... la neña que d'ella bebe, dentro del añu se casa." (any girl drinking from this fountain will be married within the year).
After carrying out the rite of drinking from the fountain, and throwing a coin into the lake, we climb the steps on the right and enter a small square where there is bench dating from the time of Charles III.
We ascend to the grotto up a flight of 101 steps which many pilgrims climb on their knees, to make their pledges.
In the grotto is the image of the Virgin dating from the 18th C. which replaces the original image that was destroyed in a fire in 1777.
Its jewels are a reproduction of the real ones that are in the Museum.
Surrounding the Virgin are some of the Asturian monarchs in an exedra that imitates the Asturian pre-Romanic style, work of the silversmith Juan José García, who is also the author of the altar piece representing the battle of Covadonga.
In the grotto is a small neo-Romanic chapel, built by M. Pidal, replacing the former alcove, two tombs, belonging to Alphonse I and Pelayo with his wife, Gaudiosa and sister, Ermesinda, who were originally buried in Abamia and later transferred here in the time of Alphonse X.
The Collegiate Church or Casona de Novenas
This is a rectangular building, constructed around a patio with a square tower at one corner and the chapel of Saint Ferdinand. It is the oldest building in the Sanctuary and was built in the 16th C. ; in the cloister that is formed inside are two tombs, belonging to abbots, dating from the 11th century. In the chapel mentioned above, is a Baroque altar piece that comes from the church of Sta. María de Valdediós and the image of the Virgin of the Triptych.
The Hospice
Also known as Mesón de crónicas antiguas, this is a beautiful old farmstead. It was built in 1763, during the time of the abbot Nicolás Antonio Campomanes.
After emerging from the grotto through the tunnel, we come to La Campanona. It weighs four thousand kg and won first prize and a gold medal at the Universal Exhibition of Paris in 1901.
Casa de Canónigos
This houses the Library, Meetings Room, Throne Room, Chapter House and Treasure Museum, which contains the valuable jewels of the Virgin. Outside is a monumental statue of King Pelayo with the Cross of Victory made of bronze, created by Gerardo Zaragoza.
Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga
Set on the hilltop of Cueto, the final project was the work of the architect Federico Aparici. It was built between 1877 and 1901 in a neo-Romanic style, and consists of three apses on different levels, covered by an arris roof with Gothic trace vaulting in the transept and ante-presbytery, and a one-quarter sphere canopy apse.
On the outside the church has the shape of a Latin cross but inside, the arms disappear and are occupied by the sacristies. The western façade is flanked by two high towers that open up into a portico with a triple arch.
At the entrance door are the busts of Sanz y Forés and Martínez Vigil, who were the founders of the church, both the work of the sculptor Mariano Benlliure. In the interior, there are two paintings hanging over the altar: the Proclamation of Pelayo de Madrazo and King and the Announcement of Carducho. However, the most attractive feature is the crypt, designed by Roberto Frasinelli, who was popularly known as the German from Corao, using an original system of vaults formed by projecting arches with different centres.
