Island of San Miguel de La Palma (Canaries) : the beautiful island [folleto informativo].

              he Noble and Loyal City Santa Cruz de la Palma - title assig­ned
by Philip the Second - related to Cant6n Guancho de
Tedote and called afterwards Villa de Apur6n. Its story is the
same of the island.
Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, conqueror of the island, who
debarked on the boarders of Tazacorte on September 29th, 1492, culminated his
conquest on May 3rd, 1493. The first meeting of the Cabildo - rector organization -
took place in the cave called nowadays Carias, the lodging, by that time, of the
last Prince Banahorita Bentacaice.
Two factors prevail upon the development of the town: the commercial power
of the exportation of demerara sugar all along the XVIth century and the ships
construction, necessary for the sugar transportation based on the quality and
quantity of wood of the forest in the island.
The port is the third busiest port in the Empire - after Seville and Antwerp -
able to send sh ips to America since 1558.
That weal thy centre encouraged the attacks from pirates, during whose
struggles the town passed through a chain of vicissitudes, like the pillage by Clerc
in 1553, and the victory of the famous Drake.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
SAN MIGUEL
DE LA PALMA
PORTADA:
National Park of the Caldera de Ta burle nte.
Genernl view of Santa Cruz de la
Palma, from the south road.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The swimming pool of The
Real Club Nautlco in San­ta
Cruz de la Palma, pre­sents
wonderful and modern
buildings.
Commercial centre, O'Daly
Street or Royal Street
shows the seniority of
Santa Cruz de la Palma.
Porch of the Parroqula
l\fatrlz de El Salvador from
the Town Hall two a r chitec­tural
Jewels of the XVIth
century.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Such blooming and exterior contacts are reflected in the nobility of its buil­dings,
like the Casa Capitular, Parroquia Matriz de El Salvador, Palace of the Con­des
in the Valley of Salazar, and many other buildings in which the characteristic
canarian architecture obtains a special significance.
Santa Cruz de la Palma, situated on the eastern coast of the island in the
crater of the volcanoes called "La Caldereta" offers a beautiful and picturesque
view. Its present population has risen to 15.000 inhabitants.
Its pictur e"'sque "Calle Real" is the commercial centre of development, coming
into the Plaza de Espafia. In the "Calle Real", we find two monuments of great
architec tural value of the XVIth century: La Parroquia Matriz de El Salvador
and El Ayuntamiento. (Town Hall ).
The town possesses a Natural History Museum, with wonderful zoological
pieces, aboriginal rests, and a rich library.
Santa Cruz de la Palma, called often the Toledo of Canary Islands, is a likeable
and hospitable town.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Los Cancajos offers a s ucces­sion
of little pools of clear
water, which continue up to
La Hoya de Mazo.
A panoramic view of the
ancient Villa de l\fazo, where
we appreciate beautiful buil­dings.
The view of the vale offers to us
a picturesque landscape, where we find
the "Caserio de las lndias", with its
famous rocks called "The seven islands"
from its aerial appearance with the Ca·
nary Islands.
The road continues among won­derful
pinewoods, way of the incompa·
rable vale of Aridane, in whose entran­ce
it drops a singular lava river from
the top into the sea. It is a vestige of
the last volcanic eruption which happe·
ned in 1949, on San Juan's day, where·
fore this river received the name of
this saint. ------~--------------------
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Departing from Santa Cruz de la
Palma, southwards we can choose
between two roads, both singularly
attractive which join in LAS BRENAS.
Two towns with the same name,
but different particularities. Brefi.a Al­ta,
with its incomparable balcony in
"Risco de la Concepcion", and its beau­tiful
green scenery, formed by the to­bacco
plantations and woods.
Brefja Baja offers to us a different
view, not lacking charm, in the zone
called Los Cangajos where a large suc­cession
of volcanic lava formed on
arriving at the sea into a wonderful
chain of incomparable caves which blend
with the touristic installations and
modern buildings. The town is 300 mts.
From the Mlrador de la Concepcion
we find this panorama of Santa Cruz
de Ja Palma, which continues up to
Punta Liana.
above sea-level, possessing an excep­tional
climate, ponderated by Hum­boldt
as "very healthy".
Following either road, we arrive at
Villa de Mazo. The natives of this town
elaborate on God's day a flower carpet
over which passes the procession.
Along its coasts we find some caves,
which, as aforesaid, are of extraordi­nary
beauty. Southwards, at the end
Representative homestead - canary
style - In Las Brefias.
of this wedge-shaped island, lies the
pictoresque Fuencaliente, with its fa­mous
wines of Malvasia which distin­guish
it from the rest of the island.
It is a pinewood zone, contrasting with
its volcanoes, <San Antonio>. The coast
shows all the desert aridity, while
the temperature is never suffocative,
due to the permanent smooth seabreeze.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
In San Miguel de la Palma, they exist two impor­tant
caves with aboriginal vestige. The cave of
Belmaco, situated southwards, has been on time
lodging of primitivs inhabitants. There are rupes­t
rines inscriptions with an imprecedent originality.
The cave of La Zarza, on the opposite of the Island,
presents alsaw inscriptions with the same style.
We can admire an interesting collection os prehis­torical
rests, in the Natural History Museum, in
Santa Cruz de Ja Palma.
Cave Belmaco,
of Mazo.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The volcano San Antonio, from the
pinewoods of Fuencaliente.
The Village "Las lndias", In a deep
vale, remembers the Nativity.
Fortunately, this eruption did not
raise any victims and the material pre­judices
were very little. So, more than
an alarm, it has produced the mar­vellous
contemplation of the natural
strength exhibited in its chaotic explo­sion.
The fall of the lava of the Volcano
San Juan, comes from the top to the
sea, a wonderful lavariver.
The vintage is finishing; soon, the
golden grapes will turn Into the de­licious
wine Malvasla.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
By statute of October 6 th, 1954 this National has been erected.
"Nature has given certain merits to this vast volcanic and mountainous circus,
where geological and hydraulic particularities harmonize, with beautiful landscapes
of cliffs and valleys; colossal coloured stones, monoliths, all clothed in exten­sive
pinewoods; slits in the mountains, cracked by the exploSlon of the big volcanic
crater; wonderful waterfalls; ponds wittJ clear water; all this in an area of about
3.500 hectares, with the sharp points of the mountains, at about 2.000 mts. high,
culminating in the highest "Roque de los Muchachos", 2.423 mts.
The flora is characterized by the c3inarian pinewoods, vhich clothe a great ex­tension
of sheds and cliffs". In this way the lawful disposition of this park, is des­cribed
which awarded the National Park with official dignity.
Anyway, all the descriptions are poor compared with the wonderful view of
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
THE NATIONAL PARK OF THE
CALDERA DE T ABURIENTE
In the ascension or El Time. we appreciate the majesty of the Canyon de !as Angus­tlas,
with the circus La Caldera on the bottom. ------------------
A capricious waterspring In La Ca l­dera.
View of the Caldera from La Cumbre
clta.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The mineral salts
dye the water run­ning
through the
deep clefts.
Eastern closure of
the Caldera from
the House of Tabu­rlente.
North c losure of the
Caldera from The
Capadero or Llano de
los Capadores.
The Rock Idafe, reli­gious
monolith of the
aborigines.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
the crater, which could be described as a deep and gigantic wound splitting open
its earthly skin.
Inside, in the center of the Caldera, there is a large rock called "Idafe", before
that rock the aborigines celebrated their religious ceremonies, fearing that its fall
would bring with it their destruction; so they sacrificed animals to "Idafe", asking
the following words: "Iguida iguan Idafe"? (Idafe, is she going to fall down?), and
answering "Guerye iguan tano" (Give to Idafe what you have brought, and she
won't fall down).
The Cabildo Insular has an institute "Idafe" as a symbol of prosperity on the
Island, particularly in its tourist development.
During the invasion by the spaniards, it was the refuge for the brave original
inhabitants.
Cumbrecita is an admirable view point. Excursions may be made inside in order
to contemplate this geographical accident, unique all over the world.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
trast in a suggestive coloursgame. The beach of Puerto
Naos never becomes hot in spite of the sun. It always
maintains an agreeable humidity, and has about 3.000
hours of sunshine a year. 1The clean sea water, characteristic of the Atlantic
beaches, is wonderful at any season. The temperature
during the winter is comparable with the one in any
European beach in summer.
Partial view of the beach In Puerto Naos.
Partial view of the beach In the port of Tazacorte, In
which we appreciate the start of the sea in the Canyon
of !as Angustias.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
THE VALE OF ARIDANE
Inside the incomparable frame of
the Vale, is the Villa of Los Llanos de
Aridane, which is the second town in
importance. It has much traffic, unique
in little towns, and pleasantly suprising
for visitors.
It is a very well arranged city,
with an agreeable aspect, beautiful buil­dings
and avenues, showing an urba-nistic
decor and cleanliness.
The Vale of Arldane joining with the
sea, from the plnewodds of Fuencallente.
Passed Barranco de las Angustias, where the Caldera
comes into the sea, we find at 590 mts. high a wonderful
view of the Valley of Aridane, La Caldera de Taburiente
and the Valley of Tijarafe. El Time, as the place is called,
offers to us a fabulous landscape, which causes the visi­tors
to pass away the time in placid contemplation.
Situated westwards, among the palm beaches, the
one in Puerto Naos has got a grand report. The sand is
very fine, and the atlantic waves slip onto the beach
quietly, with a pure blue colour. Located in a picturesque
and quiet place, it has all the characteristic charm of the
canarian beaches. The long and large basal tic black band
of sand, the whiteness of the foam and the blue sea, con-
Panoramic view of the Vale de Aridane with Los Llanos
and El Paso, from the Mlrador El Tlme.
A beautiful corner tn Los Llanos de Ari­dane.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Tazacorte is s ituated where the vale Aridane joins with the sea. It is the chief
production centre of bananas in the Island of La Palma.
Tazacorte has a little port with a big typical flavour. Beside its beach at the
entrance of the Gorge of "Las Angustias", is a wonderful gully, formed by the fluvial
erosion of the water, which was collected in Caldera de Taburiente and slipped into
the sea.
El Paso, the highest place in the Valle de Aridane, is the cultural centre of the
island, whose silk is in great demand for markets. The fields full of blooming
almond trees offer a beautiful view, because the land becomes lilac in colour. It is
the best point for the one who wants to profit from the incomparable background
of Caldera de Taburiente and see from that Point "La Cumbrecita", situated in
a valley about 1.833 mts. high. The ascension to this point is a feeling that you
will never forget.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
View of the Caldera from the Mirador de la Cum­brec
lta .
View of the Vale de Las Cuevns, with
the Cumbreclta at the hearl.
Taza. corte. from El Time.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The strange specta­cle
of a ship on land
offers to us this pro­tagonist
of "La Baja­da
de la Virgen".
The hermitage Las
Nieves, Mar lancenter
ln San Miguel de la
!:alma,. mansio~ .. of
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The Lustral FEAST
ur Lady of the Snow" is the patroness of the island. Since 1.680
"La bajada de la Virgen" constitutes a great event in the Island.
The Virgin is carried over in a procession from her chapel to
Santa Cruz de la Palma, situated at the very foot of the mount­tain,
every 5 years. The shrine, which is small and like a her­mitage,
was erected in the XVIth century. Its belltower and
the porch is one of an ancient chapel. Likewise its solitude
and s ilence are like a hermitage, but the door is always open, and there is at all
times a priest, as in a parochial church.
Las Fiestas Lustrales, celebrated in honour of the patroness, are so famcms,
that they have been declared to be of great interest to tourists, and their most re­markable
characteristic is the strong typical and traditional taste. Prominent feasts
in the programme are "The Gay Chariot", "The Dance of the Dwarf", "Dialogue bet­ween
the Castle and the nave". "The entrance of the virgin from Matrix El Salvador",
The origin of the image is unknown, traditionally they say that she already
existed when the spanish conquerors arrived on the Island.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
low tide, the water in Cueva Bonita is smooth and crystalline and it is easy
to walk ashore on the fine sandy beaches, which are formed inside.
The sunlight introduced across the gangways falls on the water, pro·
ducing a thousand wonderful details. The fish shine in a game of co­lours
which produce a matchless piasticity. Excursions can be made by sea.
and they make an unforgettable experience. Between Garafia and Barlovento,
is Gallego, a picturesque little town, which defying dizziness is up on the
height of a rock , surrounded by deep cliffs.
The North of the island is characterized by its deep and big cliffs. Nature
has made a troublesome game with height and depth. The spacious and dense
pinewoods are another beautiful motive in the North of this Island.
Inside view of 'The Beautiful Cave'.
The almond trees In Punta Gorda are.
besides a beautiful spectac le, a cause of
rlchness for this town.
The deep cliffs are characteristic of the
North of the Island.
On the other side of the island, is
Barlovento, one of the crowns North
of the Island. It has wonderful green
scenery, with beautiful cliffs, which do
not cease until the capital is reached.
On the coast are San Andres and
los Sauces both manufacturing towns
Nearby is a picturesque and pleasant
refuge for the fishermen: Puerto Spin
dola.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Leaving El Time, we penetrate
into the Vale of Tijarafe. It looks as
if we would go into a magical vale.
There seem to be all the almond
trees from all over the world toge­ther.
The sweet beauty of the al·
mond trees covers an extension
which arrives at one of the most
picturesque towns of La Palma:
Puntagorda, a kind of white carpet
with rose tones from the almond
trees, which developes a singular
attractiveness.
Along the coast of Tijarafe is the
cave Bonita a beautiful and strange
caprice of nature, which gives the
visitor great pleasure. The Cueva
Bonita has got great dimensions,
in the middle of the cliff, at sea­level.
Its en trances look like big
gangways, through which it is possi­ble
to travel by ship. During the
Plnewoods In Roque de Faro, higher than
I.OOO mts, on the North coast.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The Wood of "Los Tilos", with
its tropical growth, diverse flora, where
it draws ones attention to the gigantic
fern s, the singing of thousands of birds,
is a paradise for the visitors. Puntalla­na,
Southwards, will be the finale of
this insular travel, that we'll never for­get.
From the top, appears the lumi­nosity
of the port Santa Cruz de la Pal­ma
and the insular airport, which
mean, as well as good-bye, a new wel­come.
Partial view of Los T llos.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Two beautiful corners in the fishermen's refuge in Puerto
Spindola.
View of Puntallana, near Santa Cruz de la Palma.
Wood Los Tllos.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
HOW TO ARRIVE AT LA PALMA
~ ill
It2------::-u-iU> • .i ••
LA ISLA DE LA PALMA (whose complete name is San Miguel de la Palma)
is one of the four islands which constitute the province Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in
the Canary Islands, Spain. Situated in the Northwest of the Archipelago, among
the Greenwich meridian 17°, 43', 43" and 1800, 00', 15" and Northwards of the pa­rallel
28°, 26', and 28°, 51', 152. Covering 726 square kilometres, it has a population
of 76.000 inhabitants, joined in 14 municipalities in the judicial sects of Santa Cruz
de la Palma and Los Llanos de Aridane. Prevailing throughout the year at about 19
degrees, the thermometer neither rises above 25 in summer nor falls below 14 in
winter. It is 700 miles from Cadiz, and its port is 100 kilometres from Santa Cruz
de Tenerife, and 140 from Las Palmas.
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
The cuisine of the island of La Palma is based on fish
of various types, because it is obtained in abundance all
round the coast. It is generally served with the celebrated
"wrinkled" patatoes, and a piquant sauce called "mojo pi­c6n".
Typical canary dishes are "el puchero", "los potajes",
the popular "chernada", the "mojo colorado" and the roas­ted
pig.
"El gofio" is the most important element in the insular
gastronomy; it is flour, made of wheat, maize or barley, and
Typical "Puchero" In La Palma.
toasted before milling. It is eaten in
the form of dumplings or gruel instead
of bread with certain dishes.
There is an immense number of
delicious sweets, like "bienmesabe"
"rapaciuras" (honey and "gofio"), "miel
de caiia con flame" and "queso de al­mendras".
The wines have an important place
in the canary gastronomy. There is the
''caldos de Mazo", 11vino de tea", and
the celebrated "Malvasia de Fuenca­liente".
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
Terminal station ln the airport In La Palma .
Typical dress of Garafla.
View of t he port In Santa Cr uz de la Palma .
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
COMMUNICATIONS
The island of La Palma has very good communications, by air or by sea. The
port of Santa Cruz de la Palma has direct communication with the one of Santa Cruz
de Tenerife through the most modern unities of the interinsular serv ice.
Beside the aforesaid interinsular service with regular schedules, they put into
port weekly ships, which develop the regular service with the peninsular Spain. In
the same way, the port communicates with several peninsular and foreing ports
through he fruit and cargo ships.
The port Santa Cruz de la Palma has very good conditions. During the sail na­vigation
period it was the best of the Archipelago in the New World route.
The island has communications by air with Tenerife through the planes of the
spanish airline IBERIA, which make 3 flights each day. The airport San Miguel de
la Palma ns a modern building, with all the aeronautical and technical advances. Its
runway is 2.000 mts. Any travel agency is able to inform you about excursions to
the Isla de San Miguel de la Palma. as well as supply the tickets for plane or ship.
,..J-Jd e- . ---~'-----~ ~ -··········~.:z
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019
.<,; ) ·""•
Edited for his Excellency the Governor of the I s land of San ~llguel de la Pa.J.
ma, and supported by the Genera l Direction and Promotion of Tourism.
Publicity, and mi n iature plan, by Alas S. A.
Photography by Espada.
Printed by A. Romero, S. A. (Lithographers).
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca Universitaria, 2019