Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga
| Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, Asturias |
| Country | Spain |
| Denomination | Basilica |
| History | |
| Dedication | Our Lady of Covadonga |
| Consecrated | September 11, 1901 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Basilica |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) |
Roberto Frassinelli (design) Federico Aparici (construction) |
| Style | Neo-Romanesque |
| Groundbreaking | 1877 |
| Completed | 1901 |
Basílica de Santa María la Real de Covadonga is a Catholic church located in Covadonga, Cangas de Onís, Asturias, Spain, that was declarated as basilica on September 11, 1901.
The temple was designed by German Roberto Frassinelli and built between 1877 and 1901 by artchitect Federico Aparici y Soriano. It is a Neo-Romanesque church made entirely of pink limestone.[1]
History
In 1777 a fire destroyed the old temple, which was adjacent to the Holy Cave where Our Lady of Covadonga is revered. It was then decided to raise a new one as a monumental shrine for what was called charity in Spain, opposed the council, as the canons wanted to rebuild the temple of the Holy Cave and the sanctuary designed by Ventura Rodríguez, that never could take place.
One century later, the project is resumed by King Alfonso XII of Spain, who was interested in completing this work. The classic design of Ventura Rodríguez was very difficult and expensive and was replaced by a new neo-Medieval design.
This new project was devised by Roberto Frassinelli, know as The German of Corao, who was a great artist but not an architect and had to give his place to Federico Aparici y Soriano, who studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. Despite this decision, Frassinelli could direct the works.
Esplanade
- La Campanona (The Big Bell), a three-meter bell built in 1900 at La Felguera. It weighs 4,000 kg and was donated by Italian count Sizzo-Noris.
- Bronze statue of Pelagius, made in 1964 by Eduardo Zaragoza.
- The Obelisk with the Victory Cross, built in 1857 by the Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Montpensier. According to tradition, it was the place where Pelagius was crowned as the first King of Asturias.
- San Pedro Monastery, declarated Bien de Interés Cultural, founded by Alfonso I of Asturias.
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Basilica of Covadonga. |
Coordinates: 43°18′31″N 5°03′13″W / 43.30861°N 5.05361°W