Coastal Route - Gáldar
Continuing our trip along the coast, we reach Gáldar – the name of which comes from ‘Agaldar’ that can be translated as the ‘Royal City’ – which was once the centre of the Guanche civilization, therefore rich in archaeological sites. The post-conquest Gáldar was founded in 1484 and was once the seat of Tenesor Semidan, one of the island’s two Guanche chiefs. It takes much pride in its heritage, which can be seen in the Guanche names of many of its streets. Gáldar was also the capital of the island before Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Today, Gáldar is a largish and busy town extending at the foot of the Pico de Gáldar volcano. It has an idyllic square, the Plaza de Santiago, featuring the neoclassical Iglesia de San Tiago de los Caballeros right on that site where once the ancient royal court and a small Spanish fort used to be. The construction of this vast church with three naves started in 1778 and was not completed before mid-19th century. Noteworthy features are a green font from the 15th century and the statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, both works from Luján Pérez.
In the same square is the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), in whose courtyard you can see an enormous dragon tree, which was planted in 1719 and is said to be one of the oldest on the archipelago.
The biggest attraction of Gáldar is however the Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave) at the south-western end of the town. It is a small cave with many colourful geometric Guanche paintings, only discovered in 1873 and unique on the islands. After conservation works carried out between 1970 and 1974, it has however been closed to the public in order to prevent the paintings from being destroyed by the increasing humidity.
On the road to Artenara you will find the Caldera de Los Pinos de Gáldar, a huge volcanic crater that, together with the Montañón Negro, was formed during the last volcanic eruptions on the island. From here you have wonderful views over the entire north coast.
Just 2 km (1.5 miles) north of Gáldar is another important Guanche legacy, an 11th-century cemetery – the Tumulo de la Guancha. Discovered in 1936, this last resting place of Guanche nobles consists of 30 round tombs, built of enormous lava blocks. Unfortunately this site is also closed to public.
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