Asturias- Covadonga y la Reconquista
By Manisha Byreddy and Larissa Taras
B3 05 March 2007
Covadonga Cathedral. (On-line image). Available <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Church_Covadonga_Spain_2003.jpg>. February 16, 2007.
Don Pelayo. (On-line image). Available <www.artequias.com/reconquista.htm>. February 16, 2007.
Name - What is Covadonga? What is the word's origin?
Covadonga is town in Asturias, Spain where the Spanish first defeated the Moors. This famous battle occured around 718 and 725 and was the start of the Reconquest. Covadonga comes from the Latin word Cova Dominica, which means "Cavern of the Lady."
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People- Which famous people are associated with Covadonga?
Don Pelayo started the Spanish Reconquest and he is recognized as the founder of Asturias. Pelayo lead a group of Christians to fight against the Muslim Moors. They succeeded and Don Pelayo ruled as the King of Asturias until his death in 737.
Time period- What are some dates of important events?
Don Pelayo was captured by the Moors and escaped in 717. The Christian Reconquest started in Covadonga between 718 and 725. Asturias was recognized as a kingdom with its capital being Cangas de Onis in 718. In 737, Pelayo died and his son, Favila, took his place as king.
History- Present/Past- What is it now? What was it then? Has history changed its use and why?
Covadonga is now a tourist destination with beautiful scenery. In 717, Covadonga was a great battle field between the Christians and the Moors. After the Spanish Reconquest, the battle ground could not be used for that purpose any longer.
Architecture- What were some of the styles and during what time period?
The first cathedral of Covadonga was built in 740, but then in the morning of October 17, 1777 the cathedral
was burned down with wood. Then soon after that the building was restored and built back together. Some
of the buildings in Covadonga had a gothic influence.
Influence- What were the other cultures, and styles that influenced Covadonga's construction?
The style of Covadonga is one of its kind, and has some but very little influence from the traditional local
styles(asturian) along with some of the visigodo style. Although it is very influenced it is a style of its own
that is unlike any other.
Contents- What is in it? What types of works/styles?
In Covadonga there is the main cathedral with the statue of Don Pelayo right next to it. These two
monuments of Covadonga were originaly built with wood and/or different kinds of stones, but the problem
was that the wood would sometimes burn.
Regional Importance - How does Covadonga reflect or help define the culture of this region and/or Spain as a whole?
Covadonga is important to Spain because it marks the start of the Spanish Reconquest. If Covadonga did not exist, Spain could still be ruled by the Moors. This village is also important to Asturias; the battle in Covadonga caused the start of this region.
Works Cited
Covadonga Cathedral. (On-line image). Available <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Church_Covadonga_Spain_2003.jpg>. February 16, 2007.
Couzens, James. "Covadonga." The History Channel Encyclopedia. 2000. Columbia University Press. 4 Mar 2007. <http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/search/search.php?word=COVADONGA&enc=12030>.
Don Pelayo. (On-line image). Available <www.artequias.com/reconquista.htm>. February 16, 2007.
El Camino, Real. "P.N. Covadonga: La Historia." 03 March 2007. <http://www.el-caminoreal.com/covadonga/covadonga1.htm>.
MacArthur, Robin. "History of Reconquista against the Jihad in Spain (711 – 1492)." The History of Jihad . 2005. University of Stanford . 03 Mar 2007 <http://www.historyofjihad.org/reconquista.html>.
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