No. 29 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

30
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 29
Agüimes, a cultural space in the open
By Mathias Valles
Agüimes is one of those clear examples of being
a municipality that has everything to offer, both
to visitors and residents. In every square inch of
its territory, visitors can easily find great examples
of traditional Canary architecture, beaches,
aboriginal sites, naturally green landscapes and
an enviable history. Agüimes has a lot to tell, and
the place that stands out most in this respect is
its historic town centre. This open-air museum
was founded a year before the discovery of America
and was one of the first settlements after the
Castilian conquest of the island.
Today, its historic town centre constitutes a dynamic
space for culture and leisure. The restoration
of the town over the years has enhanced its
attractiveness and made it known to all its visitors.
Walking along the cobbled streets is a delight,
and in each façade, square or corner, we will
find religious heritage, murals or sculptures that
make up this open cultural space, reminding us of
the region’s great past.
History lovers should head straight to the Museum
of History of Agüimes and the town centre’s
Visitor Centre, located on the site where the old
Chapel of San Antonio Abad, built in the middle of
the 16th century, once stood. These cultural institutions
will immerse us in the municipality’s past,
from the aboriginal era through to the arrival of
the European conquerors. On show are historical
relics, archaeological remains and interactive
exhibitions that will help visitors to better understand
the rich history of Agüimes.
Another essential visit around here is actually
its main attraction: the Parish Church of San Sebastián.
It is a stone building, with a certain cathedral
style and a façade that represents one
of the finest examples of Canary neoclassicism
architecture. This place of worship attracts the
interest of most visitors and was declared a National
Historic-Artistic Monument in 1981. Inside
it houses important works by great artists such
as the Canary Islander Luján Pérez and the Sevilla-born
Martín de Andújar, all of which are housed
in three easily recognisable architectural styles:
Gothic, Neoclassical and, of course, Baroque.
In order to promote rural tourism, the "Casa de
los Camellos" has been restored and is now a hotel.
The name comes from the fact that it was an
old barn and stable for camels and dromedaries,
when they were used as a means of loading and
transport. This place is more than 300 years old
and was used to keep these animals, who were
able to gain access through high doors that still
form part of the current building.
Yet Agüimes is not only history and architecture,
it is also a natural paradise. Just a few kilometres
from the historic town centre is the Barranco de
Guayadeque ravine, one of the most interesting
natural monuments in Gran Canaria. It is a place
of the utmost natural beauty, and is highly popular
with tourists and locals alike. It is classified
as a Natural Monument and an Asset of Cultural
Interest, and is ideal for walking along its beautiful
paths, exploring the caves inhabited since
pre-Hispanic times or enjoying a picnic in stunning
natural surroundings.
It is the site of one of the most important aboriginal
settlements in the Canary Islands, where
archaeological finds such as mummies, pots and
many other utensils pertaining to the daily life of
the pre-Hispanic settlers have been found, which
are currently in different museums in the Canary
Islands. The Guayadeque Visitor Centre, located
at the entrance to the ravine, will provide a fascinating
insight into the natural and archaeological
wealth of the area. Ascending along the road that
winds its way through the ravine, we can enjoy
one of the most beautiful routes on the island as
we look at the almond tree blossom during the
months of January and February. There are also a
number of snug little restaurants carved into the
rock of the mountain which will lead us to the interesting
troglodyte village of Cueva Bermeja.
Just 15 minutes by car from the historic centre of
Agüimes, visitors can also access, along a footpath,
a place that was once of great importance
as an enclave for pre-Hispanic settlers: Roque
Aguayro. It is a phonolitic piton superimposed on
basaltic lava flows, located more than 500 metres
above sea level, which holds great religious significance
and has several archaeological sites in
the surrounding areas. It was first mentioned in
writings back in 1551 and is a place full of legends
about hidden treasures in the caves on the way to
the top of this rock.
Another place not to be missed is the highly interesting
hamlet of Temisas, which is less than
20 minutes by car from the parish church of
San Sebastián. It offers beautiful views, and was
awarded the status of Representative Canary Island
Farmhouse by the Government of the Canary
Islands. Inside, visitors can contemplate an
extraordinary landscape of mountains and catch
a view of the Roque Aguayro. It is also possible to
visit the most important olive grove in the Canary
Archipelago, made up of native species of olive
trees, and where the San Miguel Chapel is located,
built by the locals in the 18th century. On the
way, there is an almost obligatory stop for those
who are passionate about pre-Hispanic culture:
Las Cuevas de la Audiencia. It is an archaeological
site consisting of a group of caves discovered in
1934, while the road passing through was being
built. According to experts, it is a large collective
granary made up of many interconnected caves
of different sizes.
So as we can see, spending a day out to discover
Agüimes goes far beyond a simple tourist experience.
It is a journey that will linger long in the
memory of those who decide to come and check
ou the area.