Los Azulejos Hiking Route

Not everything Gran Canaria has is beach and sunshine. It is an island that keeps a very important historical, natural and patrimonial heritage in the Canary Islands. Within this natural legacy, we can find numerous hiking routes, one of which is the Los Azulejos hiking route in Gran Canaria.

The Los Azulejos fountain is located between the municipalities of Mogán and the village of San Nicolás and can be seen from the G-200 road. However, the most interesting part of the route is undoubtedly the trekking route that runs through the whole area of Inagua in Gran Canaria, a real spectacle of nature.

The name Los Azulejos (The Tiles) is given by the locals of the area, because of its resemblance to the walls tiled with tiles, with bright colours that have been declared of geological interest by the Spanish Geomining Technological Institute.

As this is a very little known route for both tourists and local inhabitants of the island, with this article we intend to highlight this route and the Inagua Integral Nature Reserve, showing you a trail with which you can enjoy this environment and its views that will surely leave you with your mouth open.

Inagua Integral Nature Reserve

This reserve is included within the area of the Nublo Natural Park, between the municipalities of Tejeda, Mogán and La Aldea de San Nicolás. In 1987 it was declared known as Ojeda Pajonales and Inagua Natural Park and finally in 1994 it was renamed to Inagua Natural Park.

Also, it was declared peripheral zone of birds and is home to the Inagua, Ojeda and Pajonales National Refuge for Hunting.

The group of mountains of Inagua, Pajonales and Ojeda, where Los Azulejos is located in Gran Canaria, is one of the best preserved pine forests on the island. This, together with the fact that it has one of the great headwaters of important ravines in Gran Canaria, such as Mogán, or Mulato, gives it a fundamental role in the recharge of underground water.

In addition, the flora and fauna found in the area are protected. There are also several endemic species that are threatened, so that for some species, such as the blue finch, the pine forests in this area are their main refuge.

Los Azulejos Route

Now that you know the whole environment that encompasses the Los Azulejos ravine, it is time to get down to business and discover the Los Azulejos hiking route.

The first thing you should know is that there are many paths that run through this environment, from Tejeda, Artenara, the Tamadaba Pine Forest, etc. But we are going to show you what, in our opinion, is the most attractive route and one where you can contemplate and enjoy this geological environment to the fullest.

Degollada de La Aldea-Montaña del Viso-Los Azulejos Route

This route starts at the intersection of the G-200, a road that links the municipalities of Mogán and La Aldea de San Nicolás. The starting point towards the Los Azulejos ravine in Gran Canaria is the Degollada de la Aldea on the way to the Montaña del Viso.

This first stage is easy, with a constant climb but not excessively difficult, except for a small stretch of hardness. As you pass it, you will be able to see an excellent view of the Hogarzales Mountain, Lobas and La Aldea de San Nicolás.

At the end of the ascent, the route will take us to the Cruz del Viso, where, if we decide to leave the path a few metres away, we will be able to see, on the one hand, the Teide and La Aldea and, on the other, the Roque Nublo and the Roque Bentayga. Once we return to the trail we will follow the road that will lead us to Inagua.

Here, is where the last stage of the climb from Cruz del Viso to the pine forest begins and we will reach an area quite similar to the one you have found at the beginning of the trail. From here you will have views of Güi-Güí, the Tasarte ravine and the Veneguera ravine.

From here, the descent begins, very smooth and not very pronounced, towards the Inagua Nature Classroom. The next thing will be to walk on a dirt track for a few kilometers and cross the La Manta ravine. To get to Los Azulejos in Gran Canaria, you have to make a somewhat winding, fast descent with some added difficulty, so you have to be especially careful.

Once you have reached the end of the route, you will return to the the ravine and begin to see Los Azulejos in Gran Canaria, a geological spectacle that will make the end of the route even more enjoyable.

The most important data of the route:

• Distance: 16 kilometres.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours, taking into account the different stops for hydration and feeding.
• Difficulty: medium-low difficulty with small parts of high difficulty.
• Recommendations: comfortable footwear, fresh clothing, water, food, hat or cap and, if possible, a GPS.

As you have seen throughout this article, this route, although unknown to the general public, hides a natural heritage that few parts of the island have.

The privileged environment in which it is located, within the Integral Natural Reserve of Inagua, where you can contemplate views of the imposing cliffs of the north, mountains with historical significance as Hogarzales or see emblems of the island as the Roque Nublo.

In short, enjoying a hiking day around Los Azulejos in Gran Canaria is a magnificent way of discovering the hidden corners of the north of the island.

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Secret beaches in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is an island that is characterized by its large and well known beaches, which are home to many tourists, such as Las Canteras and Playa del Inglés. But the truth is that, apart from these beaches, there are many secret beaches in Gran Canaria that are unknown to tourism and even to some inhabitants of the island.

From the steep cliffs of the north to the most remote corners between the industrial areas of the east or the villages far away from everything in the west of the island, there are those virgin beaches of Gran Canaria where you feel like escaping and relaxing, in silence and in an incomparable setting of blond sand and crystal clear waters.

These coves in Gran Canaria only have a few people arrive, especially from the surrounding areas with no sunbeds, beach umbrellas or beach bars.

This article is a small compilation of the best hidden beaches that Gran Canaria has, so that you can relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the big tourist beaches that are a bit crowded.

Top 5 secret beaches in Gran Canaria

As you well know, the most famous beaches are the busiest ones. This does not mean that they are bad, but you should know that here you will not find peace and quiet listening to the waves of the sea.

Depending on the season, you may have to fight tooth and nail for a spot, listen to other people’s conversations, or listen to loud music.

In order to avoid these major problems, we propose a list of the best 5 unknown beaches in Gran Canaria, far from the world and which are a real haven of peace and tranquillity.

1. Tufia

For many Gran Canarians this is a real secret. Tufia, has some houses that have a certain resemblance to those that can be found in the Greek seafaring villages.

It is a small hidden bay on the other side of the El Goro industrial area, which does not even have directions from the motorway to reach it. It has a small area of sand that disappears when the tide rises, forming a natural pool surrounded by rocks.

It is without doubt one of the most peaceful beaches in Gran Canaria where calm is the norm.

2. El Cabrón

El Cabrón is one of the most secret beaches of Gran Canaria. It is located in the southern municipality of Agüimes, on the windiest side of the island. It is named after the conquistador Pedro Hernández de Cabrón.

It’s a rather curious beach that has a few houses, some recent and others for rent. It has quite calm crystal clear waters despite the winds of the area, and is approximately 100 meters long.

In summer they are a little more crowded with visitors, but the rest of the year it is a beach that brims with tranquility.

3. El Pirata

This is one of the most unknown beaches of Gran Canaria,despite being in the tourist municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. It is located between the beaches of Playa del Águila and San Agustín.

The El Pirata beach in Gran Canaria has some coves that when the tide is low, they come together and form a large beach. In spite of its great beauty, it is not a beach that is too crowded especially because of the lack of knowledge about it.

4. Tasartico

If you want to find a quiet and uncrowded beach, Tasartico is one of the least frequented coves in Gran Canaria. Perhaps because it is in a remote place, because you have to travel about 5 kilometers of unpaved road to get to it or because it is a rocky beach.

In spite of all these conditions, it is one of the most peaceful beaches in the north of Gran Canaria and ideal for a day of relaxation in this small corner of the northwest of the island.

5. Gando

One of the best known and at the same time least known beaches in all of Gran Canaria. Gando is one of the hidden beaches of Gran Canaria that due to its geographical location (within the Gando Air Base) is always empty, since you have to be either military or have military family or friends to access it.

This means that it is in an optimum state, with clean sand, crystalline waters and a tranquillity that very few beaches can offer.

If you have the opportunity to go to Gando beach, don’t miss it and discover one of the most virgin corners of the island.

Unknown beaches in Gran Canaria

As you have seen in this article, there are many coves in Gran Canaria that are unknown to the general public. Many times they go unnoticed because they are overshadowed by the great beaches of the island.

For this reason, tourists and sometimes the inhabitants of the island do not know these wild beaches, which are far from the noise and do not appear on the covers of travel agencies’ catalogues.

In order to discover them, you only need a little bit of curiosity and the desire to venture to these paradisiacal beaches of Gran Canaria, with their charm and their practically intact sand and water.

In short, to discover those secret beaches in Gran Canaria is to discover the wildest part and where the action of man is not too much noticed, with sand and clean and crystalline waters.

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5 best brunches in Las Palmas

For some years now, the custom of having “brunch” has become fashionable in Spain, especially on weekends as a way of relaxing and enjoying oneself. Brunch in Las Palmas has also become a good excuse to get together with friends and family.

However, this American fashion has slowly begun to make inroads into the Canarian gastronomic scene. It seems that the idea of getting together on Saturdays and Sundays with family or friends to have a “late breakfast” is beginning to take hold within Canarian society.

This is why many restaurants in the city have seen a boom in this area. They have begun to introduce “brunch” menus and open their establishments in the morning to offer this service. Other restaurants have emerged with the idea of brunch as their main attraction.

With this article we want you to see what this trend is, which has emerged into Canarian society and promotes a new way of looking at gastronomy and social relations.

Top 5 places to have brunch in Las Palmas

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a city with a very wide gastronomic offer. Throughout the city you will find restaurants of all types of food: traditional Canarian, Japanese, Chinese, fusion cuisine, gastrobar, etc.

However, in recent years new establishments have appeared and offer brunches in Las Palmas. These restaurants are located in the most touristic areas of the city or emblematic areas such as Vegueta or the Port area.

Below, we will show you the 5 best places where you can enjoy good brunches in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, enjoying the city and the company of friends and family.

1. Mr. Kale

Mr. Kale it’s an icon of healthy eating in the capital. It is a restaurant that offers lunch and dinner, always under the same premise, healthy food. In recent years, Mr. Kale has joined the brunch trend and every Saturday and Sunday offers a menu made with very careful recipes, highlighting the toast or Benedictine eggs, where the protagonists are seasonal and kilometer 0 products.

Mr. Kale currently has two establishments, one at Calle Cano 35 and the other at Calle Ruiz de Alda 28.

2. Petit Café

Another establishment that has gained fame in recent years. Petit Café is a small but very cosy place, dedicated mainly to the afternoon snacks and breakfasts with a quite showy menu where the toasts with local products are everywhere.

You can enjoy brunch in Las Palmas every day of the week. They have a single menu, which is the “full brunch” to share with bread with tomato, scrambled eggs, croissants or cakes.

Petit Café is located at Calle Tomás Morales 11.

3. ZOE loves

ZOE loves is an establishment that is located in a street with history, Domingo J. Navarro. It is a cozy corner, with a retro decoration that attracts a lot of attention with a purely vegetarian menu.

Apart from this menu, you can find a quite complete and varied brunch: mini sandwiches, French toast, hummus or fresh cheese. Natural juices and coffees such as affogaro and cappuccino also stand out.

Zoe loves is located at Calle Domingo J. Navarro 35.

4. Dara Feeling Food

Dara Feeling Food is a place that surprises the visitor with its wooden decoration, elements that hang like lamps placed at different heights and plants. Every Saturday, from noon, the food service begins where brunch is also available.

The brunch has dishes like falafel, yoghurt with guarapo, black pork burger and Una cheese (Lanzarote cheese) or its frying pan of varied vegetables. Unlike the other establishments, here they serve the most convincing brunch dishes of Las Palmas and they will surely not leave you hungry for lunch.

Dara Feeling Food is located at Calle Travieso 29.

5. Casa Suecia

Casa Suecia is one of the most emblematic places in the whole city. Since the 60s it has been serving breakfast and snacks with a characteristic touch, its Swedish sweets.

In addition, you can enjoy a good brunch any day of the week until 13:00. The brunch menu includes toast, cheese, ham, eggs, jam, coffee, orange juice and candy. You can also find other dishes such as toast with salmon or scrambled eggs with bacon and beans.

Casa Suecia is located at Calle Tomás Miller 70.

Brunch, a new way of socializing

In recent times in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria we have witnessed the emerging of a new concept of food, the brunch imported mainly from the American culture to Europe.

However, it is a concept that goes beyond the purely gastronomic, is a new way to socialize, both with our friends, co-workers or family. It has become an excellent excuse to get together, Saturday or Sunday, escape from the routine of the week, relax, eat something different, sometimes healthier than what we eat during the week and socialize.

For this reason, the concept of brunch has been gradually installed in our society and with it the proliferation of new establishments dedicated to it and restaurants that adapt their menu to serve a good brunch.

In short, brunch in Las Palmas is gradually consolidating as one more gastronomic offer in the city, proposing new forms of socialization and leisure.

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5 royal paths in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria es una isla en la que se puede encontrar una gran diversidad de paisajes, con Gran Canaria is an island where you can find such a great diversity of landscapes that you will not see it in any other part of the archipelago. The royal paths of Gran Canaria will make you discover unique corners that otherwise cannot be seen, while experiencing the beauty of these landscapes with their nuances due to the great variety of microclimates and microsystems that are home to the different villages.

Gran Canaria is way more than a destination of sun and beach. Even of festivals, so important for economic and tourist development of the island. It hides much more, places with a special charm, with landscapes that will catch you from the first minute thanks to those royal paths that cross the island from end to end and the variety of vegetation that you can find along the way.

Therefore, in this article we want to show you those royal paths that are more attractive, unknown to the tourists that visit the island, and that reveal secrets and unique landscapes.

5 most important royal paths in Gran Canaria

The royal paths have been completely restored in recent years. Many of them were the main roads along which the ancient inhabitants of the island used to travel on their way to other villages.

However, time and abandonment caused their deterioration to the point of having to be rescued. Royal paths start from an epicentre, the Cruz de Tejeda, and from therethey are dispersed, from north to south and from east to west.

There are almost 700 kilometres of protected paths, many of which are accessible or have been restored for walking on, while others are more difficult to access or walk on, being in areas where climbing becomes the main activity.

Next, we are going to show you the 5 most important royal paths of Gran Canaria and the their importance over the years in connecting the different villages of the island.

1. Garañón-Ayagaures

It is one of the most important routes of the island that connected all the region of the south with the north, crossing all the network of ravines of the area within the island. It was also one of the transit routes for muleteers and farmers who brought their produce to all the towns on the summit and the coast.

The route begins in the western part of the Caldera de las Tirajanas, always heading south, entering the pine forest itself to reach the hamlet of Las Tederas, in the course of the ravine. In some sections of this royal path in Gran Canaria, you can appreciate beautiful views of the whole ravine with the sea in the background.

2. Summit-West Coast

A path that goes from the municipality of Artenara to the village of San Nicolás. This is one of the oldest paths, used by the ancient inhabitants of Artenara to link the village with those of the western or north-western region.

It is about 20 kilometres long and it takes about 7-8 hours to walk it, with a difference in height to take into account. It goes from the highest point at 1,900 metres to be at sea level, especially for those who are not very used to walking on these paths.

The path is in perfect condition and does not present a great difficulty. The diversity of landscapes that the hiker encounters along the way makes it one of the best routes on the island, with a marked contrast between humid, leafy landscapes and more desert-like places.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 20 kilometers
• Duration: 8 hours

3. Salto del Perro-Las Niñas Dam Circular

It is one of the royal paths of Gran Canaria that will take you through the two great dams of the island. The route begins at the Salto del Perro dam, located very close to the GC-605 road that goes from Mogán to the Las Niñas dam, following a path of irrigation ditches that leads to it.

One of the attractions of the route is that from one point along the way, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Soria dam and the entire hydraulic network that exists to take advantage of the scarce water available in this part of the island.

In addition, you will find volcanic bubbles, some of which are quite large, caves used for grazing both to keep livestock and as a refuge for the shepherds themselves.

• Difficulty: low
• Distance: 7.5 kilometers
• Duration: 8 hours

4. Fataga-Fortaleza de Ansite

This is one of the non-circular walking routes in Gran Canaria, so you must retrace your steps if you want to return to the starting point.

It is not a very hard path, except for the unevenness at the beginning, 300 metres in the first kilometre, while leaving Fataga behind. The rest of the path is not very difficult.

The most spectacular thing about these Gran Canaria royal path is that, at the end, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Fortaleza de Ansite fortress.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 7.5 kilometers
• Duration: 4 hours

5. Los Pinos de Gáldar Circular

It is a little known but very varied route, passing through different landscapes with a variety of vegetation (walnuts, pines, chestnuts, etc.) that make it a more than attractive route.

The departure takes place in Fontanales towards the Los Pinos de Gáldar pine forest, connected with the routes of the cheese factories of Moya. On the way we can find herds of sheep and goats that graze in the area.

• Difficulty: medium
• Distance: 9 kilometers
• Duration: 4 hours

Conclusion: the royal paths are the arteries of Gran Canaria

The royal paths that run throughout the island were the main routes by which its inhabitants moved from one place to another. As there were no roads, these paths became the main arteries of Gran Canaria, connecting the capital with the midlands or the south.

Over the years, these paths gradually gave way to the modern roads we know today,even being abandoned.

In recent years and thanks to the efforts of the institutions, some of these paths have been recovered, cleaning and equipping them to recover one of the signs of identity of the island, to be enjoyed by both inhabitants and tourists.

In short, the royal paths of Gran Canaria are the traces of the history of the island or the history of how the peasants moved to transport their goods to all points of the island, so it seems crucial to maintain and enhance these trails that hide a wild Gran Canaria.

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All about Canarian Wrestling

A sport typical of the Canary Islands, the Canarian Wrestling has been kept alive over the centuries thanks to oral transmission. The ancient Canarians used wrestling to perform religious rituals which, nowadays, are performed exclusively for sporting purposes and in places specifically designed for it.

Thanks to the geographical location of the islands, it has contributed to the influence of different peoples who, in one way or another, have left their mark on the islands.

One example of this influence is the different games played on the archipelago, which have become a cultural heritage that has been maintained by the ancient inhabitants of the islands thanks largely to written sources. Some examples are the juego del palo (literally, game of stick), salto del pastor (literally shepherd’s jump), etc.

However, among all these games, today we come to talk about Canarian Wrestling, how it arose, how it evolved or how its rules are so that you can better understand everything about the vernacular sport.

What is Canarian Wrestling?

Canarian Wrestling is the most traditional sport on the islands. The chronicles of the conquest echoed the Canarian Wrestling by the islanders, which they passed on from generation to generation.

According to these chronicles, the fights were carried out to resolve conflicts over the owning of land or other issues. Nobility, respect and team spirit are elements that should always prevail in this type of practice.

Likewise, Canarian Wrestling has always been regarded as a sport for large and rough men. However, to be a wrestler you do not need to meet these requirements, it rewards agility more than strength in this sport, especially to see what the opponent’s weaknesses are and use them against him to knock him down.

The fights takes place in rounds that bring together the opponents of two teams that are eliminated as they lose in the fights.

History of Canarian Wrestling

The first Canarian fighting techniques were recorded for the first time in the year 1420, and the referees who were known as “men of honour” were also appointed.

The origin of this practice has provoked a great debate over the years. The most widespread theory about the origins of Canarian Wrestling is that it comes from North Africa, via the Berbers.

A fact in favour of this theory is that there are a series of wrestlings exactly like the Canarian Wrestling in North Africa and that they fully coincide with the fights practiced in the past. Experts in the field divide the Canarian Wrestling into three periods.

Historical stage

The most primitive wrestling is that of the 15th century which is characterized by:

• Techniques similar to the current ones.
• The development of the challenges, the honorability of the wrestling and the way of grabbing.
• Every confrontation is a running fight.
• They were smeared in lard to make it difficult for the opponent to grip.
• The figure of the “man of honor” begins to gain importance.

Folkloric stage

We take a leap forward to the 19th century when the Canarian Wrestling begins establishing in Canarian culture, considering it as another example of folklore and tradition.

This is the time when wrestling began to develop for all the peoples of the islands, overcoming the obstacles imposed on them by the bourgeoisie of the time, who branded the Canarian Wrestling as something despicable, vulgar and anachronistic.

• There were no written rules, the rules were established before the fight.
• The teams were made according to villages or regions, and there were no fixed teams or fighters in a team.
• The fights took place at festivals or events of great importance in the villages.
• Different forms of grip between islands. For example, in Tenerife they fought hand down and in Gran Canaria they fought hand in.

Institutional stage

Canarian Wrestling evolved to a sport. In the 1940’s, the Canarian Wrestling Federation was created, with provincial headquarters, totally dependent on the Spanish Wrestling Federation.

In 1947 the first two independent provincial federations were created; one on the island of Gran Canaria and the other on Tenerife.

• Los comisionados dieron paso a los árbitros.
• Serán 12 los luchadores que habrá por equipo.
• El tipo de agarrada de lucha canaria se establece a mano abajo en todas las islas.
• Las luchadas se desarrollarán entre equipos federados, formándose competiciones reguladas como las insulares, provinciales y regionales.
• The commissioners gave way to the referees.
• 12 wrestlers per team.
• The type of Canarian Wrestling grip is set down by hand on all the islands.
• Fights between federated teams, with regulated competitions such as island, provincial and regional.
• Canarian Wrestling is today a very widespread sport, with an independent Canarian Federation, based on each of the islands and with unique rules.

Rules of Canarian Wrestling

The rules that began to be used nowadays appeared in 1870, but it was not until 1940 that the federations were formed, unifying the regulations for the entire archipelago.

However, over the years these rules have undergone various modifications until they became what they are today.

• The duration of the fight is 3 minutes. In the all against all mode, the duration is 90 minutes.
• The only person who can interrupt the fight is the referee, the time in which the fight is stopped being discounted. During this time, no wrestler can leave the ground, whoever does so will be considered a loser.
• The fall is valid when one of the two wrestlers touches the sand with any part of the body other than his feet.
• In Canarian wrestling, if the fall is simultaneous, the referee may whistle “revolt” (fight again).
• The fall that occurs when one wrestler takes the other by the hand and forces him to touch the ground is not valid.
• The fall is valid when the wrestler falls on the inside of the line, also being valid if he or she touches the outside of the line. However, if the first wrestler falls outside the line, the line is broken.

Within the rules we can also distinguish erroneous positions such as the following:

• Not positioning well at the start of the grab.
• Having the hands out at the moment of immobilization.
• The grip is always performed with the opponent’s left hand and right hand, a sudden change of hand is an infringement.
• When any action endangers any joint of the opponent.
• Having the head on the opponent’s clavicle or chest.
• To perform a sudden and very violent jerk to make the opponent drop his underwear.
• Disrespecting the referee or the opponent.

How is Canarian Wrestling practiced?

Canarian Wrestling is practiced through some techniques that the wrestler uses to knock down his opponent to the point that he or she touches the sand with some part of his body.

On many occasions, the wrestler uses more than one technique to knock down his opponent, so he or she usually performs a combination of these.

Likewise, in order to understand better how the game is played, we can distinguish 3 types of mañas (techniques) within Canarian Wrestling.

Grabbing techniques

These are techniques that consist of holding on to the opponent as much as possible to try to destabilize and lifting him or her by making him lose his balance.

Blocking techniques

They consist of immobilizing some part of the opponent’s body, with the arms, with the legs, to knock down and take him or her to the sand without having to go to extremes such as dislocation or strangulation.

Diverting techniques

Techniques that seek to deflect the action of the opponent by moving the body and with the strength of it, knock him or her down on the sand.

Famous Canarian wrestlers

Canarian Wrestling cannot be fully understood without its great protagonists, the wrestlers. People of great size, tough, but with a nobility and a sportsmanship in the field that is worthy of praise.

Through the years, many wrestlers have fought all over the islands, all of them with a capital importance in the consolidation of Canarian Wrestling as a sport that is very much to be considered in the islands.

However, there is a special place for some wrestlers who have managed to be recognised not only on the national scene but also internationally. That is why, we are going to present you, those who are in our opinion, are the 3 most famous wrestlers of Canarian wrestling.

Francis Pérez, el Pollito de la Frontera

One of the most emblematic fighters of the 90s and a legend of the Canarian Wrestling. Born on the island of El Hierro, Francis Pérez became an emblem of the vernacular sport.

His dedication was amazing, as he trained every day of the year for 7 hours and with his 1.96 and 150 kilos he became a real machine to knock down opponents in the Canarian Wrestling of the time. He retired very early in 2007, at the age of 33, due to various back problems.

Juan Espino, el Trota

One of the references of the Canarian Wrestling in recent years. His family has been linked for generations (his grandfather and his father were wrestlers) to this sport. He reached the highest level within Canarian wrestling (A), winning numerous collective and individual titles during his years as a wrestler, making him a legend.

In addition, he has spread the name of the Canary Islands and the Canarian Wrestling all over the world, becoming a reference in other types of wrestling, such as the Korean or the Senegalese, and winning titles.

Juan Barbuzano Martin

He tried his chances in various types of fighting, standing out mainly in Canarian Wrestling. He is considered to be the first great wrestler of the contemporary era.

At the age of 15 he had his first great moment knocking down an already famous wrestler like Miguel Armas three times in a row. From then on, Barbuzano had great performances in the Canarian Wrestling of the 60s and 70s, knocking down 7 of the 12 members of a team, winning championships and individual prizes.

Canarian Wrestling: heritage of the Canary Islands

Canarian sports have been consolidated over the years within the archipelago’s panorama, but none of them have had the repercussion that the Canarian Wrestling has obtained.

Since the 1980’s, Canarian Wrestling has been growing as a structure of teams, infrastructures, and money that is invested in it until what it is today, a consolidated sport rooted in Canarian tradition.

However, it is more than just a sport of 12 against 12, where you have to knock down an opponent to win. It is culture, a symbol of Canarian identity, of traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation, becoming part of the cultural heritage of the Canary Islands.

In short, Canarian Wrestling must be cared for, pampered and continue to be transmitted from parents to children with the firm intention of keeping traditions intact and that visitors who come to the islands every year learn a little more about this vernacular sport.

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Casa de Colón Museum, a walk through the history of America

The Canary Islands have been a place of passage for all those travellers who had the Americas as their destination. It has always been a strategic place to make an obligatory stopover to replenish supplies and continue the long journey to the new world. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria there is a place that tells the relationship that the Canary Islands and America have had throughout history, the Casa de Colón Museum.

The relationship between the Canary Islands and the Americas was born almost at the same time as the discovery of the continent. Christopher Columbus on his first trips took the islands as his main point of call, staying a few days on the island of La Gomera, with a very brief stopover on the island of Gran Canaria.

Over the centuries the relationship grew stronger until it created commercial and emotional ties that still endure, with the emigration of many Canarians to the new world to begin a new life.

That is why in this article we want to teach you everything you need to know about one of the most important museums in the Canary Islands, where America and its history are the main features.

What is the Casa de Colón?

The Casa de Colón is a centre dedicated to the study, research and teaching of the history of the Canary Islands and its relations with the American continent. It also has spaces dedicated to both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Likewise, one of the permanent and renowned activities within the Canarian cultural panorama are the debates on Canarian-American history that are held every two years. The Casa de Colón in Las Palmas also has a scientific magazine on subjects related to both lands.

History of the Casa de Colón

The houses of Columbus served as lodgings for the first governors of the island. It was also for Christopher Columbus, who on his first trip to the Americas had to stop on the island to repair his caravel and stayed in this house.

It is a construction that was rehabilitated in the 1950’s, conserving some original elements in its interior that date from the 16th century, like the baptismal font that belonged to a hermitage of the surroundings. Inside the house there are 4 interior patios that lead to the different rooms.

In these patios, some elements stand out, such as the cannon of the castle of Teguise and the castle of San Cristóbal in Gran Canaria. The most striking feature of the Casa de Colón museum is a large and beautiful Renaissance arch that once belonged to the convent of Santo Domingo which was set on fire by Dutch pirates.

However, it is complicated to frame the Casa de Colón in one architectural style, since it has been reconstructed on some occasions and its style has changed. It has Renaissance and Neoclassical elements as well as elements of traditional Canarian architecture, such as the interior patios.

Casa de Colón Museum

The Casa Colón Museum is a marvel, not only for its interior and what it houses, but also for its facades, which have elements of wood and stone that show the great island influence in its architecture.

However, apart from being an architectural complex of great interest, the interior of the Columbus Museum has interior patios that connect with the different rooms where permanent or temporary exhibitions are held.

There 13 permanent exhibition rooms, distributed over two floors with the following themes:

• Painting rooms.
• Samples of the historical evolution of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
• Mapping rooms.
• Samples of pre-Columbian cultures.
• Role of the Canary Islands in the discoveries.

In turn, this Canarian Museum in Las Palmas is divided into four different thematic areas which we will now show you.

Pre-Columbian area

In this area, information panels about the American population, its cultural areas, and the people who inhabited it are displayed, highlighting above all the collection of pieces from the Emerald culture. There is also a small representation of the Mayan, Aztec or Zapotec cultures.

Columbus’ voyages area

In this area, the Casa de Colón aims to transport the visitor to the Renaissance era, to the discoveries and technological advances and to the need to find new routes. Here you can find nautical charts, models, panels and objects representative of the discovery of America.

City’s development area

This is the area dedicated to the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Here you can see models of the city’s evolution, cartography, graphic documentation or the urban plots that allow you to see first-hand the evolution that the city underwent between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Painting and exhibition area

This is perhaps the most important area of this Canarian museum in Las Palmas. It is an area where the pictorial collection goes from the 16th to the 19th century. It has Flemish, American, Canarian paintings and the jewel in the crown, which are Goya’s engravings.

Casa de Colón, a reference in Canarian culture

As you have seen, the Casa de Colón is a point of reference in the world of research, not only for everything related to pre-Columbian times or the discovery of America, but also for its importance as a centre for the dissemination of Canarian and foreign art.

Thanks to all this, this Museum has become a point of reference within the Canarian cultural panorama, offering a different view of the relations between the Canary Islands and America.

In short, if you are in Gran Canaria, an obligatory stop is to visit the Casa de Colón museum in Las Palmas to discover all the good things that the most important museum house of the Canary Islands has to offer.

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Canary Islands coffee from Agaete

Some say that coffee makes people nervous and accelerates them. Perhaps this statement is not entirely accepted by coffee lovers, who see it as a stimulating drink and very beneficial to health. If you like coffee and everything related to it, you should know that the Canary Islands coffee is one of the best in the world.

Indeed, Agaete coffee from the northwestern part of the island of Gran Canaria has always been characterized by a very important fishing and agricultural activity. It is also characterized by its tourist activity always linked to Puerto de las Nieves and the Dedo de Dios.

However, Agaete hides its best kept secret in its Valley thanks to ideal climatic conditions that few places in the Canary Islands have. Here the best Canarian coffee is produced every year for, mainly, local, regional and national consumption. Keep reading to discover all about one of the best coffees in the world.

Where is the best Canary Islands coffee made?

The Canary Islands are not known for being a land where coffee crops are abundant. In fact, it is not a land suited to this type of crops. It has always been a place where livestock, agriculture and fishing have played a basic role within the primary sector.

In spite of this, in this environment where other crops predominate, the only place where the best coffee from the Canary Islands, Spain and Europe is produced is the Agaete Valley.

What is the Agaete coffee?

Gran Canaria coffee is grown in the wonderful surroundings of the Agaete Valley. The coffee grown in Agaete is of the Arabica Typica variety, one of the oldest and which is practically in disuse in a large part of Europe. This detail has not been an obstacle to recover this type of coffee and its production with great success.

We are dealing with a natural coffee that has not been previously washed, as this way it maintains its authenticity intact. Thus, this coffee from the Agaete Valley in the mouth is light, very aromatic and complex, with certain acidic nuances and a very characteristic bitter aftertaste, with certain touches of chocolate, liquorice and fruit.

History of the Agaete coffee

The history of coffee in the Agaete Valley is the history of the introduction of coffee in the Canary Islands. Recent studies assure that the introduction of Canary Islands coffee was through the island of Tenerife in the year 1788, when some plants and seeds were brought from America and Asia.

In this way, the first shipment of seeds and exotic plants arrived at the Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the first seeds of coffee arrived to the island of Gran Canaria. During the 30s and 40s of the 20th century, coffee production began to decrease until it completely disappeared, except in Agaete, which continued to be cultivated.

However, we cannot forget that harvesting the coffee, picking, starting to shell and hull it, all handmade, is a very expensive job. Coffee in Agaete has been surviving over the years, overcoming all these obstacles and becoming a coffee reference worldwide, receiving the visit of curious and coffee lovers, both national and foreign.

Where can Agaete coffee be bought?

Coffee from Agaete is a product that cannot be found everywhere. It is a rather special type of coffee, which does not have an annual harvest. In fact, just a few kilos are produced each year, which makes it a scarce product that few shops have. However, there are some establishments on the island where you can buy this Canarian coffee.

Finca La Laja in Agaete

Also known as the Finca de los Berrazales, this is the epicenter where Agaete coffee can be acquired. It is located in a wonderful enclave of the Valley, where can be obtained in its purest form, whether in coffee beans or ground coffee.

El Corte Inglés

You can also buy the Canary Islands coffee from Agaete at El Corte Inglés (the biggest department store group in Europe) in the Gourmet section. You should know that, sometimes, they do not have much stock, so it is advisable to make an order through their website, either to pick it up at the store or to received it at home.

Specialised shops

Another place where you can find local coffee is in the different specialised stores that are scattered throughout the island. In the same village of Agaete there are shops like Kactu’s or the Cafetería El Valle, where they sell it and you can also taste it. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the island, there are shops like La despensa del sur or D’Guijuelo where you can also buy it.

How to taste the Café del Valle coffee

Now that you know everything you need to know about this precious coffee, I’m sure you have a question in mind: how can I try Agaete’s coffee?

The answer is very simple, you can try it at Finca La Laja, where one of the most famous wineries on the island, Los Berrazales, is located. Here, apart from making wine, the coffee is also harvested, picked and roasted.

The most interesting thing is that you can visit the plantations to see with your own eyes how it is harvested and how the process of picking is. In addition, at the end of your visit you can access a coffee tasting in their facilities and also buy it on site.

In short, Canary Islands coffee from Agaete has earned itself to be one of the best coffees in the world, both for its taste, aroma or body, but also for everything that surrounds it.

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