The Holy Cave of Covadonga
The Santa Cueva de Covadonga, the Holy Cave of Covadonga is hidden in the rocks above the church near the foot of the climb. The name Covadonga is derived from the Latin cova dominica – literally cave of the lady, in this case the Virgin of Covadonga, around whom assorted myths involving a hermit, a swarm of bees and local villains continue to be told.
It’s place at the Vuelta a España
World number one Bernard Hinault took the inaugural race up to the top of the Lagos in 1983. Wrongly named the Lagos de Enol before the race after the summit finish journalists also ladled it the Lagos de Hinault. Historic moments have since been a regular occurrence at Lagos de Covadonga, with Spain’s best and most cherished rider of the 1980s, Pedro Delgado, laying foundations to his 1985 Vuelta success here, and also winning again at the Lagos in 1992. The Colombian Lucho Herrera had also triumphed twice at the Lagos. And another brace of victories, from Laurent Jalabert in 1994 and 1996, confirmed the Frenchman’s remarkable metamorphosis from sprinter to climber. The foot of the climb was also where legendary Miguel Indurain climbed off his bike competitively for the last time.