Day of Asturias in Spain ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Day of Asturias in Spain and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The Day of Asturias is a public holiday in the autonomous community of Asturias, in north-west Spain. It is celebrated on October 28th and commemorates the day when, in 722, the Christian king Pelayo defeated the Moorish invaders at the Battle of Covadonga, beginning the Reconquista (reconquest) of Spain.
Covadonga is a small village in the Picos de Europa mountains, and every year on the Day of Asturias, a mass is held at the Santuario de Covadonga, a shrine which marks the spot where Pelayo is said to have been crowned the first King of Asturias. After the mass, a procession of Asturian flags and banners makes its way through the streets of Covadonga.
In the evening, there are typically concerts and folkloric dances, and a large bonfire is lit in the main square. The Day of Asturias is an important date in the Asturian calendar, and is a time for celebrating the region’s history, culture and traditions.