No. 30 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

16
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 30
10 places to visit in Arucas
1. The town centre of Arucas
The birth of the modern city, starting out in the town centre, took place during the second
half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The buildings that are a feature
along this route mainly belong to this period. This architectural style reflects the economic
and social power of the bourgeoisie as well as the aesthetic trends of the time. These
magnificent buildings and the invaluable work of the local craftsmen led to the area being
awarded the designation of Historic-Artistic Site in 1976.
2. Plaza de San Juan
This is one of the early sites to spring up in the city. A simple glance around the square reveals
the evolution of the typology of the houses in the old neighbourhood of Arucas, with
buildings constructed in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. This architectural ensemble
reaches its maximum splendour with the main façade of the Church of San Juan Bautista.
3. Church ff San Juan Bautista
Casa Consistorial
Built by hand, with no technology or mechanisation of any kind, the church is a faithful testimony
to the skill of the local stonemasons and the commitment of a people who witnessed
the raising up of their temple of prayer. Construction began on the church on 19th March
1909 and it was opened for worship in 1917. However, architectural work continued on it until
almost 70 years later. Thus, in 1962 work began on the bell tower, which was completed in
1977. The chosen style was neo-Gothic, as it allowed for great ornamental displays with the
stone, made by the stone cutters, a traditional trade in the municipality. The four towers
give the church a sense of grandeur, characteristic of buildings of this style, which is why it
is popularly known as the "Cathedral of Arucas".
The inside of the church is dramatic and mysterious, due to both the slenderness of the architectural
lines and the lighting effects of the stained glass windows, made by the French
company Maumejean et Freres, while another standout feature is the carving of the Recumbent
Christ, the work of the Arucas-born sculptor Manolo Ramos (1898-1971).
4. The Culture Centre
Plaza de San Juan
Founded in 1973 to house the public library, the cultural centre is a traditional 17th century
Canary house. From the outside we can see the stonework of the main door and the frame,
with the coat of arms of the city in the centre. The main entrance, which is reminiscent of
several houses from the Vegueta neighbourhood in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, was refurbished
in 1973 following the designs of artist Santiago Santana (1909-1989). A short walk up
the stairs provides access the inner courtyard, revealing the marvellous example of the 150
year old dragon tree and its corridor of wooden columns and stone base.
5. Casa Gourié Municipal Museum of Arucas
The museum is located inside the Municipal Park which is located in the former house of
the Mayorazgo de Arucas or Casa Gourié from the early 19th century, later converted into the
Municipal Museum of Arucas, where the works of artists Santiago Santana, Manolo Ramos,
Guillermo Sureda and Abraham Cárdenes are permanently exhibited.
The building maintains the architectural principles of typical Canary houses, with certain
designs that herald the arrival of classical trends, as well as elements that reflect the social
status of its former owners.
6. The Municipal Park
Museo de Ron Arehucas
The Municipal Park has a surface area of about 10,000 m² and is made up of several paved
and wooded areas. It contains an invaluable variety of trees and plants of great ornamental
interest, so as a result, Arucas is also known as the City of Flowers. Next to the corner stones
at the end of the park, visitors are treated to the majestic building of the Heredad de Aguas
de Arucas y Firgas, built in 1912, which is the headquarters of the community that owns the
water channelled for irrigation.
7. The Ron Arehucas Rum Factory
The primitive rum factory, founded by Don Alfonso Gourié Álvarez on 9th August 1884, is
today one of the most important rum cellars in Europe, with more than 4,000 American oak
casks in which the rich brandies are stored. A 45-minute guided tour takes visitors through
the history of this century-old industry, by means of a tour through the cellar, mills, fermentation
and distillation rooms and bottling assembly areas, before finishing up at the tasting
room where visitors can try out and purchase all the products made by Destilerías Arehucas.
8. La Marquesa Gardens
Playa de El Puertillo
This fascinating spot is located some 500 metres from the town centre, on the road from
Arucas to Bañaderos. Its interior features a small palace built in 1880 by the first Marquis of
Arucas, Ramón Madam y Uriondo. The garden is a jewel of local and international botany,
and owes its origin to the painstaking love of its creator, the Marquis of Arucas, who collected
species on his numerous trips abroad. Today, it offers one of the most comprehensive
collections of tropical and subtropical flora, which, thanks to the microclimate that the area
of the historic town of Arucas enjoys due to its location, results in an ideal habitat for the
development of more than 2,500 different species currently located there.
9. The Banana Museum
Located in the Hacienda la Rekompensa in Arucas, this is the first museum dedicated to
bananas in Gran Canaria, featuring more than 15 different varieties of banana trees. The inside
of a traditional Canary house dating back to 1804, completely restored and faithful to its
original architecture, is the site for a Banana Visitor Centre and shop where visitors can taste
a selection of handmade banana products made on the islands. Visitors can also learn all
about banana cultivation in a guided tour of the estate, where they will find everything from
banana trees that reach a height of eight metres to the little known red banana.
10. Los Charcones Natural Rock Pools and Playa de El Puertillo
Casa de la Cultura
The municipality’s coastline, which stretches out for 14 kilometres along the northern strip
of Gran Canaria, is home to, on the one hand, Los Charcones rock pools, comprising three
sea water pools that are ideal for a pleasant bathe, and on the other hand, Playa de El Puertillo,
a golden sandy beach that is around 360 metres in length. Both sites have been awarded
the Blue Flag that ensures the quality of their waters and facilities during the summer
months. There are also other outstanding places on the coast of Arucas, such as Playa de
Quintanilla and Playa de San Andrés with its refurbished avenue. The district of San Andrés
is noted for its enormous potential for sporting pursuits such as surfing and bodyboarding.