This Asturian town of 6,195 inhabitants was the former capital of the Kingdom of Asturias (the current capital is Oviedo) during the reign of King Don Pelayo, who was the one who defeated the Muslims for the first time in the battle of Covadonga, thus establishing the first independent Christian kingdom, being an active focus of Muslim resistance.

Güeña river from the bridge of Lerado street (1).
Güeña river from the bridge of Lerado street (1).
Güeña river from the bridge of Lerado street (1).
Güeña river from the bridge of Lerado street (1).

This town not only played an important role in the history of Asturias and Spain, but currently has some very important tourist attractions such as the Covadonga Sanctuary, the Basilica of Santa María la Real de Covadonga and the Covadonga lakes, some of which I will show you in the next part of this series of articles.

Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a unique 33-meter-high parish church with three-storey bell tower located in the old town hall square. It was built on an old medieval temple (1).
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a unique 33-meter-high parish church with three-storey bell tower located in the old town hall square. It was built on an old medieval temple (1).
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a unique 33-meter-high parish church with three-storey bell tower located in the old town hall square. It was built on an old medieval temple (2).
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, a unique 33-meter-high parish church with three-storey bell tower located in the old town hall square. It was built on an old medieval temple (2).

In addition, more than 2,000 hectares of land belonging to this municipality are part of the Picos de Europa National Park (Asturian side) so, for Nature lovers, it's a pleasure to wander around these lands.

Roman Bridge (although its construction is of medieval origin and not Roman) and Victory Cross, over the Sella river (1).
Roman Bridge (although its construction is of medieval origin and not Roman) and Victory Cross, over the Sella river (1).
Roman Bridge (although its construction is of medieval origin and not Roman) and Victory Cross, over the Sella river (2).
Roman Bridge (although its construction is of medieval origin and not Roman) and Victory Cross, over the Sella river (2).
Roman Bridge (although its construction is of medieval origin and not Roman) and Victory Cross, over the Sella river (3).
Roman Bridge (although its construction is of medieval origin and not Roman) and Victory Cross, over the Sella river (3).

The Victory Cross (a cross on an inverted crescent) that hangs from the arch of the Roman Bridge, is a reminder of the victory over the Muslims in the battle of Covadonga and the complex was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931.

(You can better appreciate both the bridge and the cross in the following YouTube Short):

https://youtube.com/shorts/kvL83v6Gtb8?feature=share

It should also be mentioned that the bridge still preserves the old Roman road that linked the cities of Santander and Lugo de Llanera.

(Roman road and views from the vertex of the bridge in the following YouTube Short):

https://youtube.com/shorts/MFaQx7SwhfU?feature=share

Fun fact: many people come to fish for salmon in this part of the bridge.

After spending the morning visiting this city, I went to have lunch at a typical Asturian restaurant, as you can see in detail in this article.

Photographs taken with my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G camera.

YouTube shorts recorded with my Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G camera.

Sources on which I relied to give some accurate info about "the Hole" and the hiking route: (1), (2)