Top Historical Sites on the Canary Islands
It’s no surprise that the Canary Islands are a top holiday destination. With their vast sandy beaches and vibrant night scene, millions of tourists every year are booking Canaries holidays. The islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote aren’t just about sun, sean and sand however. Surprisingly they offer a number of top historic sites, so visitors in search of a spot of history will be in their element here.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna – Tenerife
As the second most populated city in Tenerife, San Cristóbal de La Laguna (commonly known as La Laguna) has a fantastic reputation. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and has a fascinating history with its many religious buildings.
Among the many sites to see is the Cathedral of La Laguna, which is one of the most important temples in the Canaries. Completed in 1915, the cathedral consists of several different styles including Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic and Renaissance. Other churches of interest in the city include the Iglesia de la Concepción and Real Santuario del Cristo de La Laguna.
Castillo de San Gabriel – Lanzarote
The small, but bulky Castillo de San Gabriel was originally built as a wooden fortress, but it was completely insufficient for defence purposes. It was replaced by a stone castle in 1572 in order to protect the harbour and the town. There is now an archaeological museum there, flanked by two cannons and featuring an assortment of historic items such as coins, fossils, pottery and jewellery. Tourists are able to climb to the upper level of the fortress for magnificent views over the city.
Santa Ana Cathedral, Las Palmas – Gran Canaria
With a maze of narrow streets and pretty plazas, Vegueta is the main historic area in Las Palmas. Work began on the Santa Ana Cathedral here in 1497 making it the first church on the Canaries. As it took a staggering 400 years to finish, the cathedral has a range of styles that include Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. In the south wing of the cathedral, tourists on cheap holidays in Las Palmas will be able to visit the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (Sacred Art Museum), which houses a range of sacred artefacts, noteworthy paintings and a collection of Spanish sculptures.
Betancuria – Fuerteventura
As once the capital of Fuerteventura, Betancuria attracts many tourists who want to explore the many churches and museums there. The city is well worth a visit and has a number of important religious buildings such as the Convent of San Buenaventura, which originated in 1416. The Convent now stands in ruins after being closed in the 1930s. There is a rock nearby the ruins, that according to legend; the Devil was chained to after being forced to carry stones for the building.
After the original church was destroyed in 1593, the Iglesia de Santa Maria de Betancuria was built in the 17th century. Tourists are able to walk along the original stone floor and admire the fascinating features such as the baroque high altar and coffered ceiling.
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