Religious, Spiritual sights in Canary Islands
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Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves
For great views over Santa Cruz and the shore, take the relatively easy 2km hike north of town to La Palma's main object of pilgrimage, the 17th-century Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves .
To walk from Plaza Alameda, follow the road, which becomes a signposted dirt track, westwards up the gorge of the Barranco de las Nieves. It will take nearly 45 minutes to walk up, but coming back is faster. By car, follow signs from the Avenida Marítima where it crosses the barranco (ravine), then turn right on the Carretera de las Nieves (LP-101) and continue winding up the hillside until you see signs for the sanctuary. The curve-filled 5km trip takes nearly 15 minutes. Bus 10 (a…
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Iglesia de San Juan
The extraordinary, neo-Gothic Iglesia de San Juan stands sullen watch over the bright white houses of Arucas in a striking display of disproportion. The church has a Sagrada Familia (Gaudi) look with its elaborate pointed spires and was, fittingly, designed by a Catalan architect. Construction started in 1906 on the site of a former ermita (chapel) and was completed 70 years later.
Within, a fine 16th-century Italian Crucifixion hangs above the altar; the wooden Cristo Yacente (Reclining Christ) is similarly impressive, together with three magnificent rose windows.
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Iglesia de San Juan
This extraordinary, neo-Gothic church stands watch sullenly over the bright, white houses of Arucas in a striking display of disproportion. The church has a Sagrada Familia (Gaudi) look with its elaborate pointed spires, and was, fittingly, designed by a Catalan architect.
Construction started in 1906 on the site of a former ermita, and was completed some 70 years later. Within, a fine 16th-century Italian Crucifixion hangs above the altar; the wooden Cristo Yacente (Reclining Christ) is similarly impressive, together with three magnificent rose windows.
reviewed
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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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Iglesia del Salvador
Though the church's exterior seems more fortress than house of worship, the interior boasts a glittering baroque pulpit dating to 1750, an ornate 16th-century wooden ceiling considered one of the best mudéjar (Islamic-style architecture) works in all the Canaries, and several fine sculptures.
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Parque San Telmo
The Iglesia de San Telmo, on the southwestern side, was one of the first religious buildings in town. Beside it is a tourist information kiosk and, in the northwestern corner, a beautiful modernist kiosk, which these days functions as an ice-cream stall and open-air terraza (terrace).
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción is a simple three-nave structure built in 1767 and crowned by a bell tower with a railed-off upper level that serves as a lookout. Inside, the polychrome Purísima Concepción is Valverde's most prized piece of artwork.
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
Just in from the beach is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción. Built in 1874, it is strikingly Mediterranean in style. Inside are two parts of a 16th-century Flemish triptych by Joos van Cleve. The centre panel is preserved in the nearby chapel, Ermita de las Nieves.
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Iglesia de San Francisco
Crossing the wide Avenida del Puente, a major thoroughfare, Calle O'Daly becomes Calle Anselmo Pérez de Brito. Make your way northeast towards the Iglesia de San Francisco, another Renaissance church rich in works of art, the majority being unmistakably baroque.
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Santuario del Cristo
At the northern end of the old quarter, the Santuario del Cristo contains a blackened wooden sculpture of Christ - the most venerated crucifix on the island. Be as respectful as possible inside, as most of the people here are praying, not sightseeing.
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Iglesia de San Antonio Abad
Just behind the Casa/Museo de Colón, heading towards the waterfront, the small Iglesia de San Antonio Abad of modest Romanesque-Canarian design is where, according to tradition, Columbus prayed for divine help before sailing for the Americas.
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Iglesia de la Encarnación
The modern town is centred around the Iglesia de la Encarnación. This church was begun in the 17th century and not completed until the 20th, partly due to the fact that the original construction crumbled in the early 18th century.
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Iglesia de la Encarnación
North of the town, across the ravine, is the Castillo de la Virgen, and tucked away on the same hill is the 16th-century Iglesia de la Encarnación, the first church to be built in Santa Cruz after the Spanish conquest.
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, a 17th-century church with three naves, a wooden mudéjar ceiling and the image of Gran Poder de Dios, one of the town's most revered saints.
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Iglesia de San Ginés
The Iglesia de San Ginés, an attractive church consecrated to the island's patron saint, was built in 1665 and features a statue - which originated in Cuba - of said saint. Opening hours vary.
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Iglesia de la Virgen de Guadalupe
The eclectic Iglesia de la Virgen de Guadalupe has suffered numerous remodellings since it was first built in the 16th century, leaving it in a rather confused state.
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Templo de San Blas
Mazo's 16th-century church sits on a small plaza overlooking the ocean. Inside, the church boasts a baroque altarpiece and several interesting pieces of baroque art.
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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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San Miguel Arcángel
Spanish conquistadors first came ashore in the 15th century. Shortly after, they built the island's first church, San Miguel Arcángel, just inland.
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Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Luz
Pay a quick visit to the modest chapel Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Luz, one of several small 16th- and 17th-century chapels in town.
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Convento de Santa Catalina
The closed order in Convento de Santa Catalina is still active. It was on the verge of opening a religious museum at the time of research.
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Ermita del Santo
A tiny chapel is built into the rock face is surrounded by a recently built mirador showing off the southern landscape.
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Iglesia de Santo Domingo
The Iglesia de Santo Domingo, on the shady Plaza Santo Domingo, boasts an important collection of Flemish paintings.
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Convento de Santa Clara
Of the convents, the most interesting is Convento de Santa Clara. You can also visit its fine 16th-century chapel.
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Iglesia de San Agustín
On the plaza's northeastern side is the Iglesia de San Agustín, a simple church with a pretty wooden ceiling.
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