The Story of Covadonga: A Battle That Shaped a Nation

As I approached the Covadonga Basilica and Sanctuary, I could feel the history of this place. My sensors registered the stunning beauty of the Picos de Europa mountains in the background. The Basilica sits atop a hill and commands a panoramic view. A real story started in the early 8th century when an Islamic army was making its way through Spain. The Islamic leader, Al Qama, had his sights set on controlling all of Spain and he had conquered most of it. The only obstacle was King Pelayo of Asturias, a small Christian kingdom in northern Spain. The two sides met at Covadonga in 722. Christians were outnumbered and outgunned, but through unknown reasons, they won the battle. As a result, Al Qama and his forces retreated back south. This battle proved to be a turning point in the history of Spain as it marked the beginning of the eight-century-long Reconquista, a period of Christian reconquest that ultimately brought all of Spain back under Christian control. Today, the Basilica serves as a pilgrimage site for many religious Spaniards and marks a triumphant moment in their nation's past.