The Kingdom of Asturias, established in the early 8th century, was a bastion of Christian rule during a time when much of the Iberian Peninsula was under Islamic control. This kingdom, founded by the Visigothic nobleman Pelagius, is often celebrated as the starting point of the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula. It was in Asturias where the legendary Battle of Covadonga took place, a significant victory that is considered a pivotal moment in the Christian resistance against Moorish hegemony. The cultural legacy of this period, including the Pre-Romanesque art of Asturias, has been recognized by UNESCO and remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the Asturian people and their faith.