San Cristóbal de La Laguna: UNESCO World Heritage Site

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It was the last place that I visited on my seven-day Canarian vacation. 

I discovered that there are so many reasons why you should visit La Laguna’s Old Town (Centro Historico) in northern Tenerife. Its colonial architecture, the linear layout of its streets—created in the 15th century without protective outer walls—and a large pedestrianized shopping area all combine to give a distinctive feel to this ancient university city, whose historic streets offer visitors an unforgettable experience,” according to the Canary Islands tourist bureau.

Publisher’s Note: This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in San Cristobal de La Laguna.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO named San Cristóbal de La Laguna a World Heritage site in December 1999. 

“San Cristóbal de La Laguna is the first example of an unfortified town with a grid model that was the direct precursor of the settlements in the Americas under Spanish rule during colonial times.”—UNESCO

Alfonso Fernandez de Lugo founded San Cristóbal de La Laguna in 1497 on an inland plateau 550 meters above sea level. (The Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands began on Lanzarote in 1402.)

Colonial City

La Laguna gave me a sense of deja vu as I wandered its historic streets. Then I realized I had seen this style of colonial towns in Mexico, such as San Sebastián del Oeste. 

Spain’s “Laws of the Indies” (issued in 1573) regulated social, political, religious, and economic life in these areas.

The “heart” of the town was its main square (Plaza del Adelantado). The church, cabildo (town council) building, and homes of the leading civil and religious officials surround the plaza.

City’s Grid Plan

The Canary Islands are home to eight Castilian grid-plan towns. According to UNESCO, “they were founded ‘ex novo,’ i.e. on un-built ground, and the town was a political means for the colonization and appropriation of the territory. It is that very philosophy that was transferred to the Americas.”

This spatial colonization in the New World presented a new slate to guide the development of new towns and cities.

“Hoping to avoid the organic development of European towns, colonial authorities implemented a grid plan based on Renaissance principles to ‘order’ space. At the center was a plaza, which served as the principal social, economic, and religious space.” (University of Texas at Austin)

Architecture

La Laguna preserved over one-third (627) of its 1,470 historic buildings. This includes public and private classified buildings. 

“The town has been evolving since its founding more than 500 years ago and has retained conditions of authenticity in its street pattern, its open spaces, and its monuments, which still preserve a visible time continuity.”—UNESCO

The city built most of the buildings between the 16th and 18th centuries in the style of Mudéjar architecture. However, you will also see heritage architecture in the Neoclassical, Modernist, and Rationalist styles, as La Laguna is a living city. 

You’ll want to walk up and down the grid of streets in the old town of La Laguna. Compare the residences’ windows, balconies, pediments, doors, and exteriors. You’ll enter a time warp.

Original Facades

What makes La Laguna unique is that its original facades survive in large numbers, including the Iglesia de Concepcion (church), Palacio de Nava (palace), and Casa Bigot (house).

These public and private buildings provide an authentic historic streetscape and illustrate the diverse origins of the town’s architecture.

“What most stands out among La Laguna’s old town is the large number of churches and other historic religious buildings . . .” (www.hellocanaryislands.com)

The churches are open to the public and require a ticket to visit. They include La Laguna’s Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, La Iglesia del Cristo, and Santa Catalina and Santa Clara convents.

Self-Guided Tour

Due to our late arrival in La Laguna, we could not book a walking tour. But I highly recommend a guided tour to learn more about the historical buildings.

We had to follow an Old Town city map to locate its historic buildings.  But I am happy to report that there are placards in front of many landmark buildings describing the style of architecture and its purpose.

I suggest you roam around for 60 to 90 minutes in the morning, drifting up and down the grid of the main streets from the cathedral. You’ll then want to take a refreshment break.

Casa Museo Cayetano Gómez Felipe

When you are ready for a coffee or tea, stop at Casa Museo Cayetano Gómez Felipe. Irish merchant Bernard Walsh built this traditional Canarian house in 1703. In the 20th century, it was the home of collector Cayetano Gómez Felipe, one of the greatest collectors in the Canary Islands.

You can browse an extensive collection of antiques on art and customs in the Canary Islands. This museum’s collection comprises paintings, sculptures, glass, furniture, textiles, clothing, jewelry, personal ornaments, pottery, wrought iron, architectural elements, and photographs. They were gathered entirely in the Archipelago. Throughout their history, the Canary Islands have been a strategic point on the trade routes that connected the Old World with the New World.

You walk into the house through a hallway. It opens to a gallery, which features a view of the central courtyard below. The museum operates a cafe on the sunlit garden patio.

Palacete Rodriguez de Azero

Architect Mariano Estanga designed the Palacete Rodriguez de Azero building in 1909. The building contrasts widely with the colonial churches dating back to the 16th century.

“It is a clear example of the eclectic architecture of the early 20th century.”

The building features many modernist elements, such as the black wrought iron balconies enclosed in glass. There are also French turrets covered in slate.

Casa Riquel

Casa Riquel is composed of stucco and red limestone. Red rectangular squares frame the brown door. A curved pediment tops it. The family’s coat of arms lies above the center second-story window.

Erected in the 18th century, Casa Riquel demonstrates the traditional architecture of the Canary Islands during this period.

Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

While the original church was built in 1515, the current Neoclassical building was constructed between 1904 and 1905. It became a cathedral in 1818. It is home to the remains of Alfonso Fernandez de Lugo, the town’s conqueror and founder.

The tour costs 12 euros. “Discover in a different and fun way all the mysteries and keys of this cathedral, where seven centuries of history are mixed.” No photos are permitted.

There is also a special guided visit (14 euros). The visit includes the triforium, cloister, and terrace.

You can also purchase an audio guide. There is information about the Chapel of Saint Froilan, the Chapel of Our Lady or the Pilar, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Big Eyes, and the Cathedral Museum.

Iglesia del Cristo

You must purchase a ticket to enter the church or climb the bell tower. This historic church dates to the 1500s. It is near the Market so that you might stop by after shopping.

Church of our Lady of the Conception

Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion (Church of our Lady of the Concepcion) is La Laguna’s first church. It is the town’s “mother church.”

This church is famous for its carved stone tower (an old town landmark). It dates from the 17th century.

Shopping

La Laguna offers many opportunities to shop, including bookstores, clothes stores, and shoe stores. Visit Los Calados Artesania. This store sells typical Canarian garments worn by men and women.

You might want to purchase a new hat, jacket, or a traditional Canarian costume.

Festivals

I visited La Laguna in January. Christmas lights glittered in strings draped high above the streets. Baubles hung on the branches of trees.

But La Laguna is also famous for its summer festival—San Benito Abad. Held on the second Sunday of July, this festival honors Saint Benito Abad, the patron saint for the farmers and peasants of the Canary Islands. 

Florence of the Canary Islands

The “Florence of the Canary Islands is San Cristóbal of La Laguna’s nickname. This city has treasured its cultural and ecclesiastical treasures since its founding in the 15th century. Book your stay even if you only have 24 hours to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site. La Laguna will not disappoint.

“San Cristóbal de La Laguna exhibits the signs of an interchange of influences between the European and Hispano-Portuguese and American cultures, with which a constant link on the human, cultural, and socio-economic levels has been maintained.”—UNESCO