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This month:- Garachico It is hard to imagine as you wonder through the narrow cobbled streets of Garachico that this tranquil, beautiful fishing village was once a bustling metropolis and one of Tenerife's most important ports.
Garachicos
port became the main northern port of the island exporting sugar
and the famous Malvasía wine that was so celebrated throughout
Europe and importing, among other things, English cloths, works
of art and French and Eastern Spices. Around this port a cosmopolitan population naturally grew with merchants from across the known world settling there. It was the home to several wealthy and noble families, the seat of many religious communities such as the Franciscans, Agustinos and the Dominicans, and the centre of a growing artistic culture with silversmiths, stonecutters, painters and a school of sculpture ran by the well known Martin de Andújar. Despite its wealth and importance Garachico suffered many misfortunes during its growth, overcoming devastating fires, tidal waves, gales and even plagues. In 1675 huge volcanic landslides wiped out 40 boats and killed over 100 people but it was in 1706 that Garachico finally succumbed to nature. In May of that year a volcanic eruption started that lasted until the 13th June and single handedly destroyed all the wealth, prosperity and future of Garachico.
Over time people rebuilt their houses and the religious communities returned to their convents but already everything was different. The main source of commerce and income was totally ruined and the population had to turn to agriculture and fishing. The town that stands today is a testament to the old meeting new and makes for an interesting visit, with modern hotels and swimming pools, mixing with ancient landmarks, natural beauty and culture the whole village is almost like a living museum. The Castillo de San Miguel stands sentinel on the sea front overlooking the natural rock pools created by the volcano. These pools are replenished constantly by the sea and are fantastic for swimming in during low tide and are situated next to a massive, outdoor, fresh water swimming pool and tennis courts. The 'de Ponte' family house which largely survived the cataclism but was unfortunately later allowed to fall into disrepair was beautifully restored in the early 90's and turned into the famous Hotel San Roque, one of only two hotels in Garachico. In
the centre of town stands the Plaza de la Liberstand (Liberstad The plaza is surrounded by echos of the past with the stunningly beautiful Santa Ana Church behind it and on each side; the Palace of the Counts of La Gomera which was totally destroyed by the eruption but later rebuilt to the specifications of the original design; an old San Franciscan monastery which dates to the beginning of 1524, the two story building is now a museum of art; and the Lady of Angels Church built in the standard form of a Latin cross that still holds masses today. Garachico also holds dear its traditions. It is well renowned for its Romería of San Roque on August 16th when the majority of its 6000 residents take to the streets singing and dancing until exhausted and, in sharp contrast, its amazing Easter festival which is a deeply religious, awe inspiring ceremony. The town has won several awards and national prizes in recognition of its architectural beauty and culture so if you are a fan of architecture, good food, streets steeped with history and tradition than you will love Garachico
Over
to coming months, we will be building up a picture of Tenerife
so why not visit other areas? |
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Founded
in 1496 when the islands conqueror and first Governor Fernandez
de Lugo gave the governorship of the area to Geonese banker
Cristóbal de Ponte, Garachico soon became wealthy due
mostly to its geographical position. Situated in a natural cove
Garachico´s harbour was able to give shelter, in all weathers,
to the ships that throughout almost three centuries ported there
and developed the commerce of the area to extraordinary proportions.
Houses,
streets, palaces and churches disappeared under two slow moving
lava prongs and the all important port suffered the brunt of
the fury of the volcano. It was completely filled and when the
fires where extinguished the port had been reduced to a molten,
black rock, rendering it useless to large scale commercial shipping.
square) which over the years has also gone by the names Santa
Ana, Constitucion and General Franco but has always been popularly
know as Plaza de Arriba. Here stands a wooden bandstand from
the beginning of the 20th century and a statue in honour of
Simón Bolíver whose ancesters were born in Garachico.
The statue was uncovered in 1970 and was the first monument
erected in Spain in honour of this South American poet and hero.
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