Life and Architecture of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Spain
Hello friends and readers. I must apologize for the long delay since my last posting. With vacation, work situations and frankly a cold Minnesota winter, I haven't been on my game for posting lately and for that I apologize. I sometimes wonder who if anyone reads this blog, and enjoys it. I know of course there are people and readers that follow me and for that I thank for. I also want to encourage all that enjoy my blog to feel free to contact me to suggest ideas, have questions or stories. I want you all to be a part of this blog and sharing information just as I have. Don't be afraid, speak up! You can leave your comments below or directly email me. I'd love to hear from you.
On a recent trip to Spain I took the opportunity to pop down to the Canary Islands. The island chain is located off the western part of the Moroccan coast of Africa. The archipelago , made up of 7 inhabited islands is a small piece of heaven in the middle of the ocean. The islands are not named after the bird, rather the other way around. The name is suspected to derive from Latin meaning Island of the dogs. Whether it meant our actual 4 legged friends is unknown, but the theory is that it was named after the monk seals that once must have lined her rocky shores.
I was only able to spend a little over a week on two of the islands, Gran Canaria which holds the capital of one province and Tenerife which holds the other capital. Gran Canaria is the second most populous island and holds the famous Playa del Ingles on the south of the island. This is the area where most tourists visit. I however decided to stay in the capital, Las Palmas. The island was conquered by a Spanish crown in 1483. Aside from the interesting architecture and other history, Mr. Christopher Columbus spent time here on his trip to America in 1492. With the growing city in the late 15th and 16th century, beautiful buildings began to spring up on the island around the capital. Of course the city needed a grand church for the growing population and the Las Palmas Cathedral or the Cathedral of Santa Ana was began in 1500. Work was later stopped and construction work restarted in the 18th Century.
Here we can see the beautiful front facade of the church with its two campaniles or bell towers.
The church was designed in the Pointed Gothic style meaning it has the same design elements as say Notre Dame in Paris; the ribbed vault ceilings, pointed arch and the famous flying buttresses which allowed medieval builders to build such tall walls with large openings for the beautiful stained glass windows. Let's take a little look inside shall we?
Notice the beautiful columns and how the design continues seamlessly onto the ceiling. The architect took the inspiration from nature and hence they are designed to mimic a palm tree shaft and the leaves spreading out over the ceiling.
The layout of the church is somewhat typical of this age of church. With naves off to the sides to form separate chapels and the alter directly in front as you enter. The interior alters are spectacular gilt and carved by hand and are quite massive in their size and scale.
Can't go without seeing the 200+ year old preserved bishop!
The cathedral holds other spaces for meeting rooms, libraries, a courtyard and other spaces. For me, however it was time to head to the top of the church for a 360 degree view of the city and the sea.
Climb to one of the higher points of the city to get a panoramic view of the city and the church.
View from the church overlooking the rooftops of the historic Vegueta neighborhood.
A spectacular cathedral and a must see if you're a history lover and in the Canary Islands.
Wonder the charming Vegueta area and you will find many beautiful buildings from the 15th to early 20th century with some lovely Art Nouveau structures too. Another popular building to visit which is just around the corner from the cathedral is the Casa de Colon. This structure which is actually combined of a several structures which formed the early governors house is from the 15th century. Also known as the Columbus house it holds a great deal of information concerning his voyages and the history of how the Canary Islands and the Americas are forever linked.
Inside it holds beautiful carved coffered ceilings, arches and other hand made details.
As I mentioned the building holds some beautiful reproduction and original artifacts that were "discovered" in the Americas and brought back to Spain.
In the nearby courtyard there were celebrations set up for the day of the dead. I thought the paper cut outs were fantastically designed and executed.
Aside from this historic quarter there are many other sights of Gran Canaria. From the stunning sand dunes in the south which make you feel as if you are in the Sahara desert, to the rocky shores of giant waves and black volcanic rocks this island has much to see aside from the beach.
If you like what you read on my blog and would like to contribute to the house restoration please click the donate button below. All donations will be GREATLY appreciated!! You will also be publicly thanked if you wish on a contributes page I hope to add at some point in the future.
Mosaic map showing the Canary Islands
On a recent trip to Spain I took the opportunity to pop down to the Canary Islands. The island chain is located off the western part of the Moroccan coast of Africa. The archipelago , made up of 7 inhabited islands is a small piece of heaven in the middle of the ocean. The islands are not named after the bird, rather the other way around. The name is suspected to derive from Latin meaning Island of the dogs. Whether it meant our actual 4 legged friends is unknown, but the theory is that it was named after the monk seals that once must have lined her rocky shores.
The red dot with the "A" marks the location of the Canary Islands.
I was only able to spend a little over a week on two of the islands, Gran Canaria which holds the capital of one province and Tenerife which holds the other capital. Gran Canaria is the second most populous island and holds the famous Playa del Ingles on the south of the island. This is the area where most tourists visit. I however decided to stay in the capital, Las Palmas. The island was conquered by a Spanish crown in 1483. Aside from the interesting architecture and other history, Mr. Christopher Columbus spent time here on his trip to America in 1492. With the growing city in the late 15th and 16th century, beautiful buildings began to spring up on the island around the capital. Of course the city needed a grand church for the growing population and the Las Palmas Cathedral or the Cathedral of Santa Ana was began in 1500. Work was later stopped and construction work restarted in the 18th Century.
The church was designed in the Pointed Gothic style meaning it has the same design elements as say Notre Dame in Paris; the ribbed vault ceilings, pointed arch and the famous flying buttresses which allowed medieval builders to build such tall walls with large openings for the beautiful stained glass windows. Let's take a little look inside shall we?
The layout of the church is somewhat typical of this age of church. With naves off to the sides to form separate chapels and the alter directly in front as you enter. The interior alters are spectacular gilt and carved by hand and are quite massive in their size and scale.
The cathedral holds other spaces for meeting rooms, libraries, a courtyard and other spaces. For me, however it was time to head to the top of the church for a 360 degree view of the city and the sea.
One of the campaniles to hike to the top to, or take the sloooooooooow elevator
The plaza in the front of the church holds some beautiful statues of dogs.
Plaza in front of the cathedral. The building in front in the town hall from 1856.
Wonder the charming Vegueta area and you will find many beautiful buildings from the 15th to early 20th century with some lovely Art Nouveau structures too. Another popular building to visit which is just around the corner from the cathedral is the Casa de Colon. This structure which is actually combined of a several structures which formed the early governors house is from the 15th century. Also known as the Columbus house it holds a great deal of information concerning his voyages and the history of how the Canary Islands and the Americas are forever linked.
As I mentioned the building holds some beautiful reproduction and original artifacts that were "discovered" in the Americas and brought back to Spain.
In the nearby courtyard there were celebrations set up for the day of the dead. I thought the paper cut outs were fantastically designed and executed.
Aside from this historic quarter there are many other sights of Gran Canaria. From the stunning sand dunes in the south which make you feel as if you are in the Sahara desert, to the rocky shores of giant waves and black volcanic rocks this island has much to see aside from the beach.
Sculpture of sand.
If you like what you read on my blog and would like to contribute to the house restoration please click the donate button below. All donations will be GREATLY appreciated!! You will also be publicly thanked if you wish on a contributes page I hope to add at some point in the future.
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