The Santa Cueva or 'Sacred Cave' is located above a waterfall that forms a pool below this sanctuary.
Next to it is the Fuente de los Siete Caños (Fountain of Seven Spouts), also known as the 'Wedding Fountain' because of the traditional belief that any young girl who drinks the water without stopping to catch her breath will be married within a year. The verse goes like this: 'The Virgin of Covadonga / Has a fountain so glassy; / every girl who drinks his water / will marry in a year'.
On either side of the road, guarding the sanctuary's entrance, are two large lions sculpted in Carrara marble. They are exact replicas of sculptures by Pompeio Marchesi.
Entering the cave with the Virgin of Covadonga - the most worshiped image in Asturias - poses little challenge. Simply climb the 103 steps of the Stairway of Promise (some pilgrims do this on their knees). The cave is also accessible from the esplanade of the basilica. Pilgrims come here to worship la Santina, which is in fact a copy of the original statue that was destroyed by a fire in 1777. The altar is decorated with images referring to the battle of Covadonga. Nearby are the tombs of Pelagius of Asturias and his wife Gauiosa, and those of his son-in-low Alfonso I and daughter Hermelinda.
Next to the Santa Cueva is the Monastery of San Pedro. It is home to a community of canons and also has a house for spiritual exercises.