No. 17 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

16
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA Nº 17
100 energizing bathing spots on the coast of Gáldar
Sardina del Norte. Gáldar
Plaza Gáldar
If you are looking to go for a swim near Gáldar,
just roll the dice. Luck will be on your side, for sure.
You can't go wrong, because a whole coastline of
small enclaves pops up along the roadside, enveloped
by the marine environment of the north
coast of Gran Canaria. Places such as Caleta de Arriba,
El Agujero, Dos Roques, La Furnia, Punta de
Gáldar and Sardina provide a comprehensive itinerary
of coastal locations dotted around the map,
offering visitors a refreshing dip.
The entire coastline of the municipality of Gáldar
is awash with nooks and crannies that look outwards
to the sea. None of these small beaches are
crowded, so tranquillity is the norm. There may be
more or fewer people depending on the time of
year, but the municipality’s coves can always be
enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
The coast of Gáldar has a special charm, or stamp,
in the eyes of those who are fond of "lost places".
The Atlantic Ocean comes crashing right in, invigorating
the lives of fishermen and surfers, because
in this northern part of the island it certainly
makes its presence felt. But don't worry, bathing
is guaranteed. Defences and protections have
been built to allow a gentle bathing experience -
Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar
natural pools and protected coves abound so as
not to spoil the party for those seeking peace and
quiet.
Indeed, the human landscape around these
beaches barely changes. It remains much the
same, down through the generations. Children
play around the old-fashioned way, getting wet
and soaking themselves among seafaring materials
that remind us of professions that are gradually
dying out. There is also an ice-cream seller,
who sails against the tide. And that's the plan, not
to complicate matters, that’s the only programme
for our day out on the beach on the coast of Gáldar;
lounging about in the vicinity of fishermen’s
houses, on sparsely-populated beaches, with a
nice ice cream, next to peaceful bathers who flop
into the water in slow-motion.
Heritage and culture on the edge of the beach
The municipality of Gáldar, however, does not only
offer sea bathing. The north of Gran Canaria is a
must for anyone interested in the island's pre-Hispanic
culture and ancient traditions. Visitors will
find several points of interest, including the Cueva
Pintada (Painted Cave Museum), the settlement
Cueva Pintada
of El Agujero and the necropolis of La Guancha, all
of them references to the island's prehistory.
At the first of these, the Cueva Pintada Museum
and Archaeological Park, visitors are given an entertaining
insight into the way of life of the island's first
settlers. This is a benchmark centre for the study
of the pre-Hispanic world of Gran Canaria and the
best and most complex example of indigenous mural
paintings on the island. It has a large area for the
recovery and recreation of indigenous dwellings.
In Gáldar it is also possible to visit the Antonio Padrón
House Museum – the Indigenista Art Centre,
featuring one of the most singular artists of the
20th century in the Canary Islands. The museum
houses almost all of the artist's work. The painter's
mark can also be found outside the museum, with
references to his work such as the replica of the
Rayo Verde that decorates the Mirador del Pescador
viewpoint in Caleta de Arriba.
Other interesting buildings are the Church of Santiago
de los Caballeros, the Town Hall with its centenary
Drago tree, considered the oldest on the island,
and the Casa Capitán Quesada which houses
the Agáldar Museum.