Sanctuary of Covadonga Map / Location

This Marian shrine in the northwest province of Asturias is devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our Lady of Covadonga rose to prominence following the Battle of Covadon in 722 where the Moorish invasion of Spain was initially resisted. A statue of the Virgin Mary was secretly hidden in a cave and believed to have miraculously aided the Christian victory. A basilica was built to house this statue, which Pope John Paul II once visited to honor the Virgin Mary.