The Church of the Immaculate Conception (Iglesia de la Concepción) is right in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s old town. It is in a privileged position, presiding over the Plaza de la Iglesia, adjacent to the popular La Noria Street (calle de La Noria), and a few metres from the Plaza de España, the central point of the capital.

Inside the church, an image of Santa Cruz’s patron saint, the Lady of the Immaculate Conception, can be found, as well as the Holy Cross, St James, and Jesus Christ. Also, it holds one of the capital’s most historically valuable items – the Santa Cruz de la Conquista (Holy Cross of the Conquest), which gives its name to the city, and that the first Adelentado, a title held by Spanish nobles, of the Canary Islands, Alonso Fernández de Lugo, nailed in the ground when he landed, founding the city, and bringing Christianity to the island.

A bit of history

At first, the plan was intended to build a small and humble church with the role of serving as a catholic sanctuary for the capital, but over time, and after a fire that destroyed much of its infrastructure, the initial building expanded until it took the shape it has today.

It was built in 1500, but the building burnt down and had to be rebuilt a century later. It was the first church to built in Santa Cruz, and today is considered the most important in the capital.

The church is built in a Latin cross layout, with 5 naves, various chapels, and a domed transept. It is built in masonry, and the corners of the building, the façade, and the central tower are all decorated with basalt stone. Its most characteristic feature is the enormous central tower which can be seen from miles away.