The museums are a school of human promotion, an instrument of catechesim, while at the same time they present previous generations" expressions of faith to the present generation.
At the beginning of the history of the Museum of Covadonga, offerings which the Christian People had donated over the years, as is traditional in sanctuaries, were placed in a room situated within the "Casa Capitular". It was popularly known as the "Treasure of the Santina"
 

 
Due to the centenary of the Basilica in 2001, the the Covadonga, Iconography of devotion exhibition was staged and the museum transferred to another noble Sanctuary building, the current choir school, modernising its installations according to the materials and tendencies of the day.

 
 
 
Today"s museum houses most of the artefacts exhibited in 2001, as well as the museum"s own collection. Structured in ten sections, the visitor can get to know the origin and evolution of the Sanctuary, and this land"s love for the "Santina" through paintings, engravings, photographs, images, gold and silver work, etc.
Estructurado en diez apartados, el visitante podrá conocer, a través de pinturas, grabados, fotografías, imágenes, piezas de orfebrería, etc. El origen, evolución del Santuario y el amor de esta tierra a la Santina.

Opening Hours
 
10:30h a 14:00 h
16:00 h a 19:30 h
(Todos los días)

 

 

Sections

 

  
 
History of faith. The Battle of Covadonga. Pelayo.  
Introduction to the origin of the Sanctuary from the historic event of the Battle of Covadonga and the beginnings of the cult of the Virgen.
The Making of a Sacred place.
Covadonga in religious paintings and stamps.
Concreción del Santuario en su proyección histórico-religiosa y en la expansión de la devoción fuera de las fronteras de Asturias, gracias a la labor de las Cofradías, y Congregaciones, que impulsan la edición de estampas.
En un segundo apartado muestra el incendio que la Santa Cueva sufre en el año 1777 y que destruye totalmente el templo de madera conocido como el ãtemplo del milagroä
Covadonga in America  
Manifestations of devotion to the Virgen in this continent are shown to be the first sign of the collective identity of Asturian emigration from the 18th century.
Revitalization of the Sanctuary
of Covadonga in the 19th Century		  
Collection of materials and documents which illustrate the development of popular devotion..
Exvotos (gifts of gratitude)  
This is a reflection of the great devotion and affection that the people feel for the "Santina". The frequent offer of "exvotos" is documented from the beginning of the 17th century, and still today constitutes one of the most genuine manifestations of popular fervour.
The Basilica. Work of Faith  
Proyecto y construcción de la Basílica llevado a cabo por los obispos Sanz y Forés y Martinez Vigil.
Covadonga in the 20th Century  
  A display of the achievements which identify this century from multiple perspectives, which once again view Covadonga as a religious and historic landmark
San Melchor de Quirós  
  A section dedicated to this Asturian saint. Dominican missionary and devotee of the "Santina".
San Pedro de Póveda  
  Appointed canon of Covadonga in 1906, he was to initiate pedagogic undertakings during his stay in Covadonga which led to the creation of the Theresian Institution.
Papal visits  
The visit of Cardenal Roncalli, future John XXIII, as well as that of John Paul II in 1989.
Pilgrins ofers  
 

Se ha abierto recientemente una nueva sala, la primera planta, en la que se recogen, principalmente, las ofrendas de los peregrinos. Colección de rosarios, alianzas matrimoniales, monedas, joyas diversas, colección de Cristos de marfil y otras imágenes también en marfil, relojes, pintura, etc. También pueden ver un manto donado por la reina Isabel II y recientemente restaurado.