The Virgin of Covadonga

The Virgin of Covadonga (Asturias)

Situated in the beautiful landscape of the Picos de Europa National Park, this sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin Mary is a lighthouse beam to the faithful. Masses are still given in the cavern where the Virgin Mary appeared in 722 to the army of Don Pelayo. It is said that thanks to divine intervention, the consequent battle fell in favour of the Christian army, the first victory against the Islamic invaders. Shortly afterwards, Don Pelayo became the first Spanish King and the reconquest of the peninsula by Christian forces began, slowly but inexorably.

Other Marian Sanctuaries of great historical and spiritual importance that go back to the Middle Ages are El Pilar (Saragossa), Guadalupe (Caceres) and Montserrat (Barcelona).