Coastal Route - Santa Maria de Guía
On our sightseeing tour of the northern coastline, at some 37 km (approx. 23 miles) from Las Palmas, we arrive at out first point of interest – Santa María de Guía, formerly part of Gáldar, which developed into a charming little town on its own. It was here where the most famous and most productive Canary architect and sculptor Luján Pérez (1756 – 1815) grew up.
The pretty old town with cobbled streets and traditional houses is dominated by the triple-nave parochial church Iglesia de la Santa María de Guía from 1607, which has a neoclassical façade and houses in its interior many important works from the popular sculptor – giving more the impression of a museum dedicated to the sculptor than of a church.
‘Guía’ is however best known for its Queso de flor (Flower Cheese), made of sheep and cows’ milk mixed with the juice of the thistle-like flowers of the artichoke, giving this cheese its unusual, distinctive flavour. It tastes surprisingly good and has already won many prizes. Every year in May the very popular Fiesta del Queso (Cheese Festival) is celebrated to pay tribute to the art of making this cheese speciality.
About 5 km (approx. 3 miles) east of Guía you will find the pre-Hispanic Cenobio de Valerón, a group of about 300 graves, hollowed out of the soft rock on different levels. These caves were used for grain storage, easy to defend because of their unique position, and religious rituals.
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