GEORGE GLAS

Descriptionof the Canary Islands

cap. VIII

Notes on Garachico, Puerto de la Orotava & La Laguna

Prof. Francisco Javier Castillo

Glas’ notes on Garachico

…there is a haven called Garrachica, formerlythe best port of the island, being then a bay inthe form of a horse-shoe, but was destroyedin the year of the eartquakes (for so thenatives termed the year 1704), and filled upby the rivers of burning lava that flowed into itfrom a volcano, insomuch that houses arenow built where ships formerly lay at anchor.

Volcano 1706

Garachico before and after the eruption

Glas’ notes on Garachico

Garrachica is still a town of note, and prettylarge, containing several churches andconvents of both sexes. It has a small trade forwines and brandy, which are generally sentfrom hence in barks, or large open boats, toSanta Cruz or Port Orotava.

Saint Anne’s churchGarachico

Founded in 1520, damaged by the 1706 eruption and then rebuiltfollowing the original design

Saint Dominic’s conventGarachico

Founded in 1600 and, due to the place on which it stands, it was notaffected by the eruption in 1706

Convent of Nuestra Señora de los ÁngelesGarachico

This Franciscan convent was founded in 1524, destroyed by theeruption in 1706 and then rebuilt

Cloister of the Convent of Nuestra Señora de los ÁngelesGarachico

Convent of the ConceptionistsGarachico

Founded in 1643 and burnt in 1709. The new convent was built in 1745-1749

Augustine convent of St. JulianGarachico

Glas’ notes on Puerto de la Cruz

Two leagues to the eastward of Garrachicastands a town called the Port of Orotava […] The landing place is near to the middle of thetown, where is a small creek or haven amongthe rocks. There large boats load wines, &c. and carry them off to the ships in the road.

Haven or landing placePuerto de la Cruz

Haven or landing placePuerto de la Cruz

Glas’ notes on Puerto de la Cruz

Port Orotava is a place of considerable trade,and has flourished greatly since thedestruction of the harbour of Garrachica. Itcontains some good private buildings, twochurches, two convents of Friars, and two ofNuns.

Saint Dominic’s conventPuerto de la Cruz

Saint Dominic’s conventPuerto de la Cruz

Courtyard of Saint Dominic’s conventPuerto de la Cruz

Saint Dominic’s conventPuerto de la Cruz

Saint Francis’ conventPuerto de la Cruz

Las Nieves conventPuerto de la Cruz

It was run by nuns of St. Catherine. Founded in 1661 and destroyed by a fire in 1719. A new convent was built in 1721. It was confiscated by the Government

and closed in 1838. Completely destroyed by a fire in 1925.

Las Nieves conventPuerto de la Cruz

Church of Nuestra Señora de la PeñaPuerto de la Cruz

St. Telmo’s church

Church of la Peñita, in La RanillaPuerto de la Cruz

Glas’ notes on Puerto de la Cruz

At each end of the town is a black sandy bay.Along the northernmost is a low stone wall,built to prevent an enemy from landing. At theother bay is a small fort or castle for the samepurpose; and between them, at the landingplace, a battery of a few cannon. But the surfthat continually breaks upon the shore, is abetter defence than if it were garrisoned byten thousand of the best troops.

St. Barbra’s batteryPuerto de la Cruz

St. Barbra’s batteryPuerto de la Cruz

Glas’ notes on La Laguna

About four miles inland from Santa Cruz,stands the city of St. Christobal de la Laguna[…] the capital of the island, and contains twoparish churches, three convents of Friars, twoof Nuns, and three hospitals, two of which arefor the venereal disease and the other forfoundlings, with many handsome privatebuildings.

Hospital de los DoloresLa Laguna

Hospital de los DoloresLa Laguna

Casa Álvarez Bracamonte o de los CapitanesLa Laguna

Casa Álvarez BracamonteLa Laguna

Glas’ notes on La Laguna

The convents of Friars are of three differentorders, viz. the Augustine, the Dominican andthe Franciscan; and those of the Nuns,Dominicans of St. Catharine and Franciscansof St. Clara. The Jesuits have a house here,where only two of that order reside, havingfound little or no encouragement for more inthe place.

the Jesuits’ houseLa Laguna