| |
| Situation: |
North of the island
|
| Area: |
442,59
kms² |
| Height: |
180 m |
| Population: |
14.032
(INE 2000) |
| Distance
to Las Palmas: |
25 km
|
Popular Fiestas
May ( variable ): Fiesta del Queso.
August 15th: Nuestra Señora de Guía.
September (third Sunday): La Rama de las Marías
Cenobio de Valerón :
An aboriginal settlement of more than three hundred caves which were dug out from the mountainside and were used as dwellings and even as silos to store the harvests. Also to be seen and admired are the numerous objects, utensils and tools of the primitive inhabitants which are on show in the caves. Although actually reaching the caves is a somewhat tiring walk, the spectacular views on offer more than compensate.
|
|
| |
CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF GUÍA
The local parish church is a superb, twin-towered, half neoclassical half baroque building which dates from the 17th century. Inside are kept some valuable works of art, including notably several pieces by the brilliant José Luján Pérez, the distinguished local born artist who also designed the neoclassical facade of the building.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT.
EL GALLEGO : Near the sea there can be found a group of caves where the aboriginal inhabitants conducted their funerals.
EL BREZAL NATURE RESERVE : An area of 100 hectares which is in the process of being reforested and preserved in order to protect various types of Canarian tree, especially the laurisilva.
MELPÓMENE TOWN : The famous French composer Camilo Saint-Sans wrote some of his most beautiful pieces here, which were later played on the local church organ.
|
 |
