Santa Cruz de Tenerife Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Santa Cruz de Tenerife

There is archeological evidence indicating a civilization two thousand years ago in the area where Santa Cruz stands today. The indigenous people were the Guanches. The island of Tenerife was called Anazo. The famous Mummy of San Andres is an excellent silent witness to those long-ago times. Before the Spaniards there were kingdoms.

On the third of May in 1494, Castilian soldiers commanded by Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, an ambitious conquistador, set foot on the island. He made his camp and planted his cross in the place that would become Santa Cruz and he set about destroying the kingdoms of Anaga.

Tenerife was strategically located on the routes between Southern Europe and the Americas. It was attacked several times by envious maritime powers. In 1656 British Admiral Robert Blake made off with the silver. British came again, John Jennings lost a battle in 1706 and Lord Nelson lost an arm in 1797.

In the 21st century Santa Cruz has experienced strong economic and architectural development. Around the port area urban boulevards and broad avenues are marked with modernist and neoclassical architecture, monuments and squares. In the center of the city the Spain Square is built over San Cristobal Castle.

The Auditorium of Tenerife, built in 2003, is shaped like sails. The Towers of Santa Cruz, finished in 2006, are the tallest skyscrapers in the Canaries. Tenerife Space of Arts, designed by native architect Virgillo Gerreros, houses the museum Dominguez Institute. The Garcia Sanabria Park covers 800,000 square feet of gardens, fountains and sculptures.

Speaking of islands, one must visit the beach called Teresitas Beach (Playa de las Teresitas), the most impressive beach of the Canary Islands. There are at least 14 festivals throughout the year. There are festivals for Classical music, opera, blues, film, Carnival, Cross Day, Salsa festival and one must not forget the Tenerife Zombie Walk.

There are twelve prominent churches and one Masonic Temple, pedestrianized shopping streets and squares. The festivals and Carnival of Tenerife are declared to be the most spectacular in Spain. It cost Lord Nelson an arm to visit Tenerife but that was long before the fabulous days of tourism now. So, come, visit and enjoy!