Visit Cangas de Onis, Spain

Cangas de Onis Spain travel guide and attractions

Cangas de Onis is in the province of Asturias in the Asturias and Cantabria region of Spain.

Visit Cangas de Onis, Spain

Cangas de Onis makes an good base for exploring the Picos de Europa. It claims to be the "first capital of Christian Spain" and is where Pelayo, a Visigoth noble set up his court in the 8th century.

The main sight at Cangas de Onis is its 'Roman' bridge which has the Picos de Europa as a splendid backdrop. It appears in much of the promotional litterature of the area and whilst it is very attractive it has been rebuilt on numerous occasions.

There is also a 15th century chapel, the Capilla de Santa Cruz which is built on a Celtic Bronze Age dolmen.

These aside the town makes a pleasant base and has some reasonably priced hotels and restaurants. There is also the lovely Parador de Cangas de Onis in an ancient monastery which is thought to have been founded in the 8th century by Alfonso I.

Places to Visit near Cangas de Onis

Whilst you are here take the opportunity to visit the Cueva del Buxu which is a cave containg engravings and rock paintings dating back 10,000 years. The Cueva del Buxu cave is 5km east of Cangas de Onis.

Covadonga is 11km south-east of Cangas de Onis and has both a military and religious significance. It is at Covadonga that Pelayo and a small Visigoth force overcame the Moorish armies and started the Reconquest.

There is a cave here that is a religous shrine said to have been used by Pelayo whose sarcophagus is here. There are daily masses in the cave which has been converted into a chapel and occupies an attractive spot above a waterfall. A large 19th century pink basilica has also been built here as has the museum of Covadonga which contains various religious artefacts.

For more information and photos see Wikipedia Spain: Cangas de Onis.