Local history and culture Tenerife

The historic center has been declared a World Heritage Site and is one of the most characteristic examples of this type of urban structure. It maintains intact its grid pattern that was developed in Latin America during the colonization process. Don't hesitate to take a walk around the streets of La Laguna, as there are many places to admire.

The streets of the historic center. In La Laguna you will be able to appreciate the architecture of its historical buildings, which are full of beauty with their wooden balconies in bow windows or in this style. They are home to museums of all kinds, restaurants, stores, and more. Often hidden inside are beautiful open-air gardens with round balconies on the upper floor: a marvel. The historic streets and alleys are pedestrianized, and are either quiet or lively depending on the time of day. Architectural jewels with beautiful churches, numerous palaces, and Canarian houses in the Spanish colonial style, from the 16th to the 18th century. Do not hesitate to enter to discover flowered patios and their shaded wooden galleries.

Must-see. The Palacio de Nava, on the Plaza del Adelantado, is baroque in style, recognizable among all with its long wooden balcony. On another corner of the square, we will visit the town hall(ayuntamiento). From the Plaza del Adelantado, we will take a tour of the old town through the streets Herradores, de la Viana, Obispo Rey Redondo, where the tourist office is located in the Casa Bragamonte.

The Laguna history. It is the seat of the Episcopate of Tenerife and the other three western islands. It is richly endowed with churches. Between the town hall and the palace of Nava, we can see the convent of Santa Catalina de Siena and, opposite, the hermitage of San Miguel. Via Calle Santo Domingo, we arrive at the church of the same patron saint, the Church of Santo Domingo, which dates from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Santa Iglesia Cathedral is located west of the Plaza del Adelantado, following Calle Obispo Rey Redondo or Calle Deán Palahi. Much more beautiful is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which is reached by continuing on Calle Obispo Rey Redondo. Returning eastward along Calle San Agustín, we will have a look at the old Augustinian convent. If we take a detour to the north of the old city, we can also visit the Royal Sanctuary of San Miguel de las Victorias.

Founded at the beginning of the 16th century by the conquistadores, it is a pretty, quiet village with cobbled streets whose historic centre, casco antiguo , has remained practically unchanged since its creation. This is why it has been declared a monument of historical and artistic interest in its entirety. A stroll will allow you to enjoy the beautiful French gardens "Jardines del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja", wonderfully maintained, its botanical garden, flowered squares, and beautiful Castilian mansions. By pushing the heavy wooden doors, you will discover beautiful civil or religious buildings, as well as houses with balconies from the 17th and 18th centuries. You will see beautiful facades on the carretera del Escultor Estévez and a 16th century house on the plaza del Ayuntamiento. In the Plaza San Francisco and in Calle del Dr. González Garcia, the gofio mills date back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. To obtain this staple food inherited from the Guanches, today's Canary Islanders still grind corn, barley or wheat. Some of the mills are still in operation, but are now powered by electricity rather than water. The Town Hall, located in the Plaza Ayuntamiento, is a neoclassical building from the late 19th century. Behind the Church of the Concepción, Calle Colegio, which becomes Calle San Francisco, is a small, sloping alleyway that concentrates a string of superb Canarian mansions with facades adorned with richly sculpted balconies.