Friday April 4, 2025
Basilica of Holy Mary, the Queen of Covadonga
After another large buffet breakfast, this one served in the cavernous monk's dining room, our group of pilgrims boarded the bus at 8:30 for Santilla del Mar, Spain. On the way we will stop for lunch in Congas de Onis. Our drive will turn east along the northern coast of Spain through tiny hamlets, and past lush green countryside.
We have just a brief 90 minutes in Congas de Onis. Enough time to have a quick lunch at one of the first restaurants we see after crossing the bridge from the bus parking lot. Our restaurant, the Placo Cocina, sits adjacent to the Rio Güeña.
After lunch we took a few minutes to explore the town and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Saint Mary before returning to the bus.
In front of Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Saint Mary
A bus short ride brings us to the Shrine of Covadonga, located in the Asturias province of Spain in the Picos de Europa mountains. On our way, Leo explains the history and tradition of the shrine.
Basilica of Holy Mary, the Queen of Covadonga
Tradition states that after the Muslims conquered Spain in 711, Pelayo a nobleman soldier hid out in the mountainous caves of the Picos de Europa with a small army.
Monument to Pelayo
In 722 the Muslims sent a large army to confront Pelayo. Pelayo made a cross out of two wood beams placed it at the entrance of the cave and prayed. Our Lady is said to have appeared to Pelayo in silence and then disappeared, leaving behind a statue of herself with the Christ Child.
The Muslims attacked the caves but their arrows merely bounced off the rocks. As the Muslims retreated in frustration, a massive rainstorm overflowed the river not only thwarting them on the ground, but raining down rocks on them from above. Pelayo attributed the victory over the Muslims to Our Lady.
The Battle of Covadonga between Pelayo and the Muslims was considered the beginning of the Reconquista, a series of military campaigns between the European Christian kingdoms and the Muslim kingdoms. The Reconquista ended in 1492 with the fall of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada to the Catholic Monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon.
Our first stop at the Sanctuary is the Basilica of Holy Mary, Queen of Covadonga. It was built of pink limestone in the Neo-Romanesque style between 1877 and 1901.
Interior of the Basilica
From here we go to the Crypt located beneath the Basilica. This area was consecrated for Mass in 1891 and features a wooden carving of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is here that Fr. Thom will celebrate our daily Mass.
Fellow pilgrim Tony reads from the Book of Wisdom Chapter 2
Behold God's Love for you
After Mass we will climb a few short flights of stairs to the Grotto Chapel of the Holy Cave.
Looking up at the Cave Chapel
The Grotto chapel was originally made of wood and was destroyed in the fire of 1777. It was at that time that the original image of Our Lady was also lost. The current image of Our Lady dates from the 16th century.
On the right, just before arriving at chapel is the tomb of Pelayo. It is in a niche in the cave.
Entrance to the cave
Our Lady of Covadonga
Chapel Cave
Our last stop is to the museum and gift store. You may view our walk of the area here. From the parking lot, everything at this shrine is a short walk. Make sure to visit the Basilica, Holy Cave, Monument to Pelayo, and the Museum.
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All photos and videos by L.A. Momboisse unless otherwise noted
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