San Cristóbal de La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna, informally known as La Laguna, is a city in Tenerife. It is the oldest city on the island and has a well-preserved city centre, and in 1999 was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It considerably higher elevation than Santa Cruz de Tenerife makes it noticeably cooler than other nearby settlements.

. . . San Cristóbal de La Laguna . . .

First called Aguere by the indigenous Guanche inhabitants, the entire valley and the large lake which once existed in its depression (hence the Spanish name La Laguna) was originally a pilgrimage site. Following the Battle of Aguere in 1494, the Spanish officially established their own settlement in 1496 and declared it the capital of Tenerife, and later of all the Canary Islands.

The city centre with its current layout and architecture dates largely to the late 16th century. Its urban plan was considered to be so successful that it was then used as a blueprint for later Spanish colonial cities in the New World, including such diverse places as Oaxaca, Lima, and Havana. Whereas coastal cities on Tenerife were periodically raided by pirates, San Cristóbal de La Laguna enjoyed steady growth and peace because of its inland location.

By the end of the 17th century the tides started to turn however, and the city suffered from a declining population. In 1723, its title of capital was stripped and transferred to adjacent Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A consequence of the tampered growth is the conservation of most of the historic city centre, in contrast with Santa Cruz de Tenerife that transformed into a metropolis with a high rise skyline. For history and architecture loving travellers, the historic centre makes San Cristóbal de La Laguna a must-see destination when visiting Tenerife. Since the centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, additional protection measures have been taken to preserve the cultural heritage, and the most significant historical streets and squares have been closed off for motorized traffic. It is sometimes called the Florence of the Canary Islands because of its numerous churches and convents. Many tunnels, passages, and underground vaults have been discovered in the city in the 21st century, indicating that the current city was raised by as much as 1 metre as at the time of its founding. Some of these tunnels lie under iconic buildings such as the Iglesia de la Concepción, the Cathedral of La Laguna and the former Convent of San Agustín, among others. These suggests there are many archaeological secrets buried beneath the surface of the old town.

With 150,000 inhabitants, San Cristobal de La Laguna is still the third most populous city of the Canarias, after the capitals Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. It was the ancient capital of the Canary Islands archipelago, and is still widely considered its cultural capital.

• 28.48742-16.31471 Oficina Turismo (Tourist Office), C/ Obispo Rey Redondo, 7 (Casa Alvarado Bracamonte), ☎+34 922 631 194. M-F 09:00-14:30, Sa Su 10:00-14:00; closed holidays. Located in a grand 17th-century manor. Helpful staff can advise on ongoing events and hand out free maps. (updated Dec 2016)

. . . San Cristóbal de La Laguna . . .

. . . San Cristóbal de La Laguna . . .