Despite the fact that the inhabitants of Asturias and Cantabria joined forces to fight against Rome, the area was occupied by the Romans who assured their supremacy by building a road between "Lucus Asturum" and Cantabria. Remains of this road have been found in Cangas de Onis, Corao, Llenín and Piedrahita, as well as many funerary steles belonging to tribes of “Vadinienses” and “Orgenomescos”. Christianity arrived during the last few years of the Romanisation period.
The occupation of the Visigoths was not particularly significant, despite some findings such as the mine of Milagro-Onís and Covadonga.
The Reconquest
The Kingdom of Asturias was constituted following the rebellion of the people of Asturias and Cantabria, who were represented by King Pelayo, who defeated the Muslims during the battle of Covadonga (722) and began the Reconquest. The first capital was Cangas de Onís.
Pelayo was succeeded by his son Favila, who founded the monastery of Covadonga and ordered the chapel of Santa Cruz to be constructed in 737. Legend has it that Favila was killed by a bear in Llueves.
Favila’s heir, Alphonse I, extended the frontiers of the kingdom, and repopulated it with Christians who settled in Margolles and Triongo.
He was succeeded by Fruela, who was murdered after ruling the kingdom for 11 years, in the Palace of Cangas de Onís. Fruela was followed by Aurelio and Silo and the latter moved the capital of the kingdom to Pravia.
In 946 the town "Kangas" is quoted as being a civil district and in 1115 a representative of Cangas was included among those signing the Council of Oviedo.
At the request of King Philip III, work was commenced on the transformation of Covadonga, but following a fire in 1777, practically everything was lost (jewels, images and church). This fact was of great concern for Charles III, who constructed a new church, improved the roads and promoted industry and craftwork, which had an extremely beneficial effect on the inhabitants of the Municipality.
War of Independence
During the War of Independence, Cangas de Onís became the capital of one of the military governments constituted in the province, presided over by Francisco Cortés Posada. The French invaded the municipality on several occasions; Corao, the church of Abamia and the rectory of the parish were used as the military barracks and headquarters by General Bonet. During the Carlist Wars, Colonel Arroyo occupies these lands.
Second half of the 19th century and the 20th century
During the second half of the 19th century, the roads were improved and the High Court of Justice was set up, and visited by Queen Elizabeth II and King Alphonse XII, the Mine of Buferrera was opened and a tramline was set up from Arriondas to Cangas de Onís and the road from Covadonga to the Lakes opened. However, many inhabitants emigrated to South America and hundreds of people from Cangas went to Cuba. During that time, Cangas de Onís took on great importance as a judicial, commercial, military and intellectual centre.
During the 20th century, the municipality focused its objectives on tourism, backed by its assets in terms of both culture and landscape. During this time, many hotels and mountain refuges were built, and the National Reserve of Montaña de Covadonga (today, the National Reserve of Picos de Europa) was set up. In 1908 the municipality was awarded its city charter.
