Sights in San Sebastián De La Gomera
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A
Torre del Conde
Set in a park just off the coast, Torre del Conde is considered the Canary Islands' most important example of military architecture. Here, Beatriz de Bobadilla, wife of the cruel and ill-fated Hernán Peraza, had to barricade herself in 1488 until help arrived.
Governor Hernán Peraza the younger had long been hated for his cruel treatment of the islanders. When, in 1488, he broke a pact of friendship with one of the Gomero tribes and, openly cheating on his wife, began cavorting with Yballa, a local beauty and fiancée of one of the island's most powerful men, the natives rebelled. They surprised Peraza during one of his clandestine meetings with Yballa and killed him with…
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B
Casa de la Aguada
Just off Plaza Constitución, which is shaded by enormous Indian laurel trees, is Casa de la Aguada, also referred to as Casa de la Aduana or Casa Condal, since at different times it served as the customs house and the count's residence. The tourist office fills one side of this traditional Canary home, but the back of it is dedicated to the exhibit 'La Gomera & the Discovery of America', an interesting account (though all in Spanish) of Columbus' trip and Gomeran culture in those times.
According to folklore, Columbus drew water from the well that sits in the central patio and used it to 'baptise America'.
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C
Iglesia de la Virgen de la Asunción
Head up Calle Real to Iglesia de la Virgen de la Asunción, the site where Columbus and his men supposedly came to pray before setting off for the New World. The original chapel was begun in 1450 but was destroyed by a fire. The 18th-century church here today has three naves and mixes mudéjar (Islamic-style architecture), Gothic and baroque architectural styles.
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D
Plaza Américas
Most of the interesting sites in the town centre are somehow related to Columbus (in either real or contrived ways), and they form a route you can follow around town. Begin at Plaza Américas, where you can get a juice in one of the terrace bars.
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E
Mirador de la Hila
To get a good overview of San Sebastián, head up the road to the Parador Nacional Conde de la Gomera hotel, where the Mirador de la Hila showcases the coast, the square houses of town and the rough, dry mountains beyond.
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F
Ermita de San Sebastián
The humble Ermita de San Sebastián, which has little to recommend it other than its age (the chapel was built in 1540), is a few blocks further on.
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G
Casa de Colón
A house built on the site where Columbus supposedly stayed while on the island. It's closed indefinitely for renovations.
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