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Garachico, a main port until 5th May 1706...
Garachico is a small town as well as a municipality on the NORTH coast of Tenerife, It is located about 60km West of the capital Santa Cruz, and around 50km from Los Rodeos Airport in the North or 67 km from Reina Sofia airport in the South.
An elevated view of Garachico
The town is known to be from around 1406 when the Genoese entrepreneur Cristobel de Ponte recognised its potential as a port, and the port grew to be a very prosperous colonial town for more than two centuries thereafter.
It's prosperous history changed however on 5th May 1706 when the Volcan Negro erupted into life, this vent of Mt. Teide poured molten lava onto and through the streets of Garachico, and effectively killed off the port and consequently its livelihood.
Though there were efforts to re-juvenated the port to its former glory the damage was irreparable, and the harbour was unable to regain its size after the eruption and thus became a relic, though a very picturesque one at that.
A pleasant stroll through Garachico.
It is still very Spanish in character, and a Spanish phrasebook is advisable for non-Spanish speaking visitors.
There is no beach worth mentioning; the coastline is essentially volcanic debris, but this does give the town its charm and a reason to visit it. Near the old port, there has been considerable recent effort to landscape the shoreline. Many paths have been laid, and some natural rock pools made into swimming pools.
Most streets are cobbled and narrow and is a very charming stroll, The centrepiece is the big open square (Gloreta de San Francisco) which houses the old Franciscan monastery which pre dates the eruption(Convento de San Francisco). It now houses the Casa de la Cultura, which hosts events and exhibitions as well as the Museo da las Ciencias Naturales, but has a splendid interior and two lovely courtyards which are worth a visit.
The best view is undoubtedly from the roof of the Castillo de San Miguel. This dark 16th century fortress of the counts of Gomera emblazoned on their chests, stood firm as the lava flow past. Today it contains a small museum and craft stalls. Steps lead down to the sea where the lava has made pleasing rock pools.
A tenerife guide would surely point you in the direction of Sanat Cruz as a place to visit, It has a colonial Spainish character
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Garachico was a very prosperous port until 5th May 1706...
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