Fiesta of Our Lady of Guía

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Festival of Our Lady of Guía in Llanes is its maritime antiquity and tradition, evident from every angle.

The Hermitage of Guía is five hundred years old, and for just as long, there have been accounts of this profound devotion in the coastal town of Llanes. Another curious aspect is that its celebration coincides with that of Our Lady of Covadonga – the patron saint of Asturias – on September 8th. However, the Virgin of Guía does not diminish the importance of Cuadonga/Covadonga; on the contrary, it strengthens the sense of identity in Llanes and the eastern region of Asturias as a whole.

But the curiosities of this festival don't end there. One of the most visually stunning and colorful events is the nighttime procession held on September 7th. During this procession, the Virgin is carried from her hermitage to the Llanes Basilica, with a stop overlooking the sea, fireworks, and hundreds of women wearing Spanish mantillas. Some wear white mantillas while others wear black, each holding a candle and a white, fragrant flower known as "nardo" pinned to their lapels (this distinctive flower is the emblem of the Virgin of Guía). Walking in rows and accompanying the Virgin through the narrow streets of the historic center of Llanes, they create a unique scene unlike anything you would find in a ceremony of this kind.

The array of curiosities is completed by the Dance of Arches performed by children in the morning of September 8th in front of the Hermitage. The children execute the dance with special gracefulness, while adults dress in traditional Llanes attire, both male and female, and their numbers reach the hundreds.

Furthermore, for the past four decades, a vintage-style wooden train has arrived from Mieres, carrying hundreds of people who join in this celebration, where the jet-black attire of the Llanes costume shines brighter than the rays of the sun.