Villa de La Orotava
One of the best preserved old towns in the Canary Islands
From the cobbled streets of the Villa de La Orotova, rises one of the most important urban centres of northern Tenerife, and one of the largest and best preserved old towns in the Canary Islands.
A small chapel constructed at the end of the XV century, would be the seed from which La Orotava has developed. Around this centre, buildings have appeared and a city has developed. Eventually becoming one of the economic and religious seats of power in Tenerife.
In the shadow of Mount Teide, and resting in a valley, the Villa de La Orotava is the ideal destination to surround yourself with the island’s culture, discover its history by exploring the narrow streets, and taste the incredible gastronomy in one of the many restaurants.
The more relevant corners of La Orotava
- La Orotava City Hall (Casa Consistorial de La Orotava). Built in the mid XIX century on a former convent of the order of Saint Claire.
- Casa de los Balcones. Standing since the XVII century, its one of the most popular spaces in the Villa, now a museum.
- Lercero House (Casa Lercaro). Space with wide patios and gardens from the XVII century.
- Mesa House (Casa Mesa). Built in the XVI century by the Castilian conquerer and nobleman Diego de Mesa, it stands out for its Plateresque façade.
- Hijuela del Botánico. Gardens of almost 4000m2, opened in 1788 with the sponsorship of the XI marquis of Villanueva del Prado, Alonso de Nava and Grimón. It has been declared a historical garden.
- Church of the Conception • Sacred Museum (Iglesia de la Concepción . Museo Sacro). The Villa has been built up around this temple, and it possesses an impressive collection of sacred art.
- Church of Saint John the Baptist (Iglesia de San Juan Bautista). Small catholic temple with just one nave and in Portuguese style. Built around the beginning of the XVIII century.
- Santo Domingo Church (Iglesia de Santo Domingo). Built around the XVII century around an old hermitage, thanks to the Mesa family. Its tower is one of the most iconic aspects of the Villa.
- Jardines del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja. Gardens of aristocratic origin, and the work of the French artist, Adolph Coquet.
- Church and Former Convent of Saint Agustin (Iglesia y Ex Convento de San Agustín). A church promoted by the Agustin order and opened at the end of the XVII century.
- Liceo de Taoro. Building reminiscent of a palace, from the XX century and surrounded by the Victoria Gardens.
- Artesian Museum (MAIT). Contains a huge amount of examples of Iberoamerican craftwork, its located in the former Convent of San Benito de Abad.
- Museo de las Alfombras. Next to the House of Balconies, this building brings together the history and the secrets behind the Corpus Christi festivities.
- Plaza de la Constitución. This is found near Liceo de Taoro and the Church of Saint Agustín, and is known for the Mudejar style it exhibits.
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