No. 34 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

28
GET TO KNOW GRAN CANARIA I CONOCE GRAN CANARIA EDICIÓN 34
A journey through Gran Canaria’s historical fortresses
Castillo de Mata
Castillo de Mata
Castillo de Mata
Castillo de Mata
For anyone delving into the roots of the history of
Gran Canaria, it is essential to remember that in
1478, the Castilian forces arrived with the purpose
of conquering the island. They were aware that
two aboriginal kingdoms shared control of this island
territory: the kingdom of Gáldar dominated
one half of the island, while the kingdom of Telde
ruled the other. Each was headed by a ‘guanarteme’
or king, the most prominent figure in their
social hierarchy. At that time, the most important
population centres were located in the areas occupied
today by the cities of Gáldar and Telde.
It is important to note that the strategic choice
to make Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the island’s
capital city is down to its location midway between
the two main towns of the native population
of the time, Telde and Gáldar. This location
reduced vulnerability to possible attacks from the
natives, as it was halfway between the two points.
In addition, the settlers noted the presence of water
in the area, in the Guiniguada ravine, as well
as the existence of fertile land suitable for agriculture.
These lands also offered the possibility of
rearing farm animals and horses, thus contributing
to the development and stability of the population,
making it the most suitable place to settle.
For this reason, in the 15th century, castles and
fortifications in Gran Canaria were erected with
a primary objective: to consolidate the conquest
and consolidate internal control over the pre-Hispanic
settlers. And as mentioned earlier, the most
logical choice, given the strategic location of the
city, was to concentrate these military constructions
in the capital.
Over the following centuries, after the conquest,
the construction and expansion of fortifications
had a different purpose, namely to secure and
protect Gran Canaria, now part of the Kingdom
of Spain, against attacks by pirates, corsairs and
foreign invasions, such as those carried out by the
English and Dutch.
And to better experience this interesting part of
history, visitors are recommended to explore two
well-preserved castles that are open to the public,
both of them vivid witnesses of the island's
history.
Castillo de Mata
Also known as Casa de Mata, this castle was built
in 1577 with the purpose of protecting the ancient
wall that surrounded the city. Over the years, it
underwent several reconstructions that added
significant improvements, strengthening its capacity
to resist various types of attacks.
Initially erected for military purposes, the construction
and adaptation of this castle continued
until the end of the 20th century. Since then,
however, it has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Since 2015, the castle has ceased to serve
exclusively military functions and has become a
multifunctional venue. Today, this historic castle
has not only been the setting for religious celebrations,
but also houses a museum dedicated
to preserving the historical and archaeological
memory of the city. The museum highlights the
city's close relationship with the sea and visitors
can marvel at the portulano charts used by navigators,
navigation charts from Columbus' voyages,
as well as other curious objects and documents
that offer a fascinating insight into the
past. It is a highly recommended visit as, in addition
to being awarded the status of Historic-Artistic
Monument, it is a jewel of which the city can
proudly boast.
Castillo de la Luz
Built in 1494 as an imposing defensive fortress, this
castle stands as one of the oldest and most fascinating
vestiges of the Canary Islands. Initially built
on a coral strip, isolated and a few metres from the
coast, it dazzles with its sober aesthetics, loopholes
and the peculiarity of being accessible only at low
tide or via a drawbridge at high tide.
Today however, due to urban development and
geological consequences, the castle is completely
attached to the mainland in the area of La Isleta.
In the first years following the Castilian conquest,
Castillo de la Luz served as the only safeguard of
the city, and in the 19th century, when the pirate attacks
ceased, the castle was abandoned and was
plunged into decades of oblivion; in 1998, it underwent
significant expansions that incorporated original
elements, returning it to its ancestral essence.
In 1941, this castle was also declared a Historic-Artistic
Monument, and today, it stands as one of the
best preserved and most photogenic castles in
the entire Canary Islands archipelago. Its history
has transcended the centuries, and it has become
the epicentre of cultural events and exhibitions,
housing the works of the leading Canarian sculptor
Martín Chirino, which make full use of its new
additions to enhance its historical splendour. After
exploring the Castillo de la Luz, it is imperative to
head to the parish church of the same name located
just down the road, where the Castilian conquerors
celebrated the first Christian mass in Gran
Canaria. Curiously, the carving of the virgin that
today presides over this temple was sculptured in
1799. To end your day, it would be a good idea to
take a stroll through the lively Port Market and the
famous Las Canteras beach that flanks this charming
historical destination.