5. HISTORY
- Prehistory:
From the Superior Paleolithic, there are human remains. Caves: Buxu
(lityc, bones and Rupestrial Paintings), Azules (corpse and tools)
- Romanization:
The river Sella was the limit between the Asturians and the Cantabrians. They
fight together against the Romans. For invade them, the Romans have to build
a bridge.
Roman Bridge
6. Middle Ages
Pelayo chooses as the capital of the kingdom Cangas de Onís, to take
advantage of the existing Roman settlement. Between his successors is
Alfonso I of Asturias, who increased the borders of the kingdom and
repopulated with Christian peoples of the plateau zones of Asturias. In the
16th century, Cangas de Onís appears, as entity and appears in the General
Meeting of the Asturias celebrated in 1504 in the convent of San Francisco in
Oviedo.
7. XIX CENTURY IN FORWARD
The 19th century will bring the War of the Spanish Independence, Cangas de
Onís's regiment is created and the villa will be the capital of one of the military
governments. In the middle of the 19th century Cangas de Onís has a great
growth due to different improvements: Buferrera's mining exploitation by an
English company that was using great quantity of workforce, so much place as
of the councils of the whole Asturias.
In the 20th century, they will create the National Park of Covadonga's Mountain
and the title of city is granted to the capital of the council. This century also will
bring the closing of Buferrera's mines, which so much workforce had brought
in the last century. But something that was a hard blow, was the Spanish Civil
war that brought a great destruction to the whole council. Another historical
event to stand out is that in 1978, Cangas de Onís, returned to be the capital of
Asturias.
9. INDEX
- Location
- Covadonga’s Battle
- D. Pelayo Statue
- The “Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga”
- “La Santina”
- The Holy Cave
- Covadonga’s Lakes
- The Monastery of Saint Pedro
11. COVADONGA’S BATTLE
In Covadonga, D Pelayo and his troops fight against the Al-Andalus’ (Muslims)
in the year 722. Spain were dominated by the Muslims and the Pelayo’s troops
expelled them.
D Pelayo was the chief and now he is considered a hero.
D Pelayo statue in Covadonga
12. THE BASILICA
The “Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga” is a religious temple that is
in Covadonga. That was declared a Basilica on September 11, 1901. In 1777 a fire
destroyed the ancient temple, which was near to the Holy Cave where they
worship the Virgin of Covadonga. It was decided to build a new one as a shrine.
13. LA SANTINA
La Virgen de Covadonga, known as La Santina, is an image of the Virgin Maria
found in a cave in Covadonga, council of Cangas de Onis, (Asturias, Spain). She
is Asturias’ patron. According to tradition, the Virgin helped Christians
commanded by Don Pelayo, causing the famous battle of Covadonga, who cast
the Arab army. This victory is considered the beginning of the Reconquest .
14. THE HOLY CAVE
The Holy Cave of Covadonga is a Catholic shrine located in the
Principality of Asturias, which gives its name to the parish of
Covadonga in the municipality of Cangas de Onis.
15. COVADONGA’S LAKES
There are two very important lakes: Enol and Ercina. They’re in Covadonga in
the National Park of the Peaks of Europe. They’re very important because
they’re very large.
Enol lake
Ercina lake
