Santina Joyas

What to bring back from Asturias besides cider? Santina, of course!

Santina is the affectionate name for the Virgin of Covadonga, the heavenly patron of Asturias. Her image is more than a religious icon — it’s part of regional history: the Christian victory at Covadonga in 722 marked the beginning of the Spanish Reconquista.

Miniature figurines and pendants with Santina are both a travel talisman and a touching symbol of connection with Asturias. They echo the sculpture in the shrine of Covadonga: a crowned Madonna with the Child in her arms, guarding the cave above a waterfall in the Picos de Europa mountains.

If you have a day to spare — visit the sanctuary, it’s magical. If not — stop by Santina Joyas, a cozy jewelry shop in central Oviedo. There you can find Santina in silver or gold, as a bracelet, pendant, or earrings — a beautiful keepsake from this special corner of Spain.