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Secret crypt discovered in the former Franciscan Convent in Garachico

Inside the Franciscan convent in Garachico - stone pavements and heartwood cloisters.

Restoration works at the former Franciscan convent building, annexed to the Town Hall and with 500 years of history, have brought to light a previously unknown crypt under the presbytery of the church with human burials

The restoration and renovation works that have been carried out in the old convent of San Francisco, in Garachico, have brought to light an ancient crypt located on the border with the church of Our Lady of Los Angeles, which until the 16th century was part of the same building. The finding, as DIARIO DE AVISOS learned recently, is of historical interest, given the age of the building: the convent and the Franciscan church were founded by Genoese Cristóbal de Ponte in 1524.

The tomb was located under the presbytery (chancel or sanctuary) of the chapel of Vera Cruz and at the time of the discovery its entrance was blocked. The crypt was found when some slabs were removed from the courtyard of the former convent and the earth was removed. The crypt has well placed remains inside, some consider probably of friars, something very common in convent churches. After a report made by the Cabildo de Tenerife, the Bishopric will study whether there is structural damage or if it can be opened to the public and visited. Pending the results of load tests and the walls, the crypt was sealed as a precaution. Until they are finished, the presbytery cannot be used either.

The current restorations will see a lift installed for access to the second floor, where the Library and the Municipal Archive are located. In addition to adapting spaces that were in very precarious conditions, such as the area of ​​the bathrooms - at risk of collapse - the rear part was left ready for the future installation of a cafeteria. Also, pavements are being removed from the hallways of the courtyards, which hindered mobility.

Another priority is the restoration of the old belfry, whose balcony was removed in 2015 due to the danger it posed, including the two bronze bells, sheltered in municipal warehouses. The former convent survived the eruption of 1706, when lava skirted around it and its religious images were rescued. The altarpieces and the marble funeral monument that represented its founder, Cristóbal de Ponte and his wife were, however, lost.

After the damage caused by the lava, the building was rebuilt with relative speed. In 1822, as a result of confiscation, the building was assigned to the local council to use as the Town Hall, the public jail and a primary school. When it deteriorated considerably, it was last restored in 1980 to become the House of Culture.

The local mayor reports surprise at the finding, but it seems it may not have been unknown to everyone. José Velázquez Méndez, official chronicler of Garachico, comments that Julio Rosquet García, who died last year and had been pastor of the municipality for 55 years, had spoken to him about an opportunity to go down to the crypt. He says that it has two doors and that the exact place of its location is the chapel of Vera Cruz. "Behind the altar is a gap with an old wooden staircase to go down to the crypt, which was that of the Ponte family," he says. “I told him that there was nothing there but cement bags, since when they did the last restoration of the building, they threw them there with garbage and rubble.

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2020

Carnival International Puerto de la Cruz 2020

The theme of the International Carnival in Puerto de la Cruz 2020 is 'Musicals':
  • Friday 7 February - Inauguration of Carnival 2020
  • Sunday 9 February - Contest of Junior Murgas of the North
  • Monday 10 February - First Phase of the Murgas Contest
  • Tuesday 11 February - Second Phase of the Murgas Contest
  • Saturday 15 February - Grand Final of the Murgas Contest
  • Sunday 16 February - Gala Election to the Junior Throne
  • Thursday 20 February - Gala Election of the Carnival Queen
  • Saturday 22 February - Opening Parade
  • Sunday 23 February - Costume Contest and Daytime Carnival
  • Monday 24 February - Ritual of 'Matar a la Culebra
  • Tuesday 25 February - Rally of Vintage Cars
  • Wednesday 26 February - Burial of the Sardine
  • Thursday 27 February - Reception of the German Ambassador
  • Friday 28 February - Mascarita Ponte Tacón 
  • Saturday 29 February - Carnival Main Parade
Carnival closing party on Sunday 1 March.

Ritual "Matar a La Culebra"
Mataculebra is an ancient ritual that came to the islands at the end of the 19th Century with Canarian emigrants who returned from Cuba, the origin of which dates back to the African slaves of the Caribbean island, with music, dance and theatrical representation.

Exchange With the Carnival of Germany
The interchange between Tenerife and Düsseldorf began in 1972 with the help of key figures in the recent history of the city's tourism development, such as Horst Morgenbrod, Eduardo Lobenstein or Gregorio Etner. The idea was to promote Puerto de la Cruz and Tenerife in the Rhine-Westphalia region, one of the most prosperous in Germany.

Mascarita Ponte El Tacón
One of the icons of the Carnival of Puerto de la Cruz, where hundreds of daring participants compete, dressed as 'suggestive ladies', to reach the finish line in shoes with huge platforms, running through the cobbled streets of the town. 


Mascarita Ponte Tacón 2019

Bus route 467, from Costa del Silencio to La Caleta, is to have 24-hour services

Titsa Bus Interchange Tenerife South Photo: Vasile Cotovanu [CC BY]

Transport Interurbanos de Tenerife (TITSA), the Tenerife bus company, is increasing, from Monday, January 20, the frequency of routes 447, 467 and 473 to offer more coverage to travellers in the south of the island in response to demand. Route 467 (Costa del Silencio - Las Galletas - Los Cristianos - Costa Adeje - La Caleta) is to have the most improvements. This route will run a 24-hour service, reaching 141 services on work days and 108 on Saturdays and Sundays. Almost 2.5 million travellers had used this route in 2019, representing an increase of 6.51% over the previous year.

In addition, Route 447 (Los Cristianos - Las Américas - San Eugenio – Fañabe - Adeje -Los Olivos) improves its frequency on working days to every 30 minutes. This route starts at 05:30 hours from Las Torres, with the last departure from Los Cristianos at 9:55 p.m. Subsequent schedules are served by route 473.

Route 473 (Los Cristianos - Costa Adeje - Adeje El Cerco - Armeñime - Playa San Juan - Alcalá - Los Gigantes) increases with a service at 23:15 hours, highly demanded by travellers. The last departure from Los Cristianos at 00:10 hours and from Los Gigantes, at 01:25 hours, totalling 67 trips every day of the week.

La línea 467 de Titsa, que une Costa del Silencio y La Caleta, tendrá servicios las 24 horas

Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2020

Bajada al Socorro 2013 Photo: Jose Mesa, Some rights reserved.

Romerías in Tenerife are one of the most colourful and fun ways to enjoy the island's traditional fiestas and immerse yourself in some Canarian culture. And as in previous years, the folk from La Casa de Los Balcones have published a 2020 Guide to Romerías in Tenerife, which we reproduce here. Some dates are already confirmed and others remain to be confirmed. We will try to make every effort to keep this list updated.

The romerías arise from religious pilgrimages, made first to Rome (hence the term “romería”), then brought to each municipality making the pilgrimage towards the church. In Tenerife, the oldest celebration not only of the island but of the entire archipelago is the “Romería del Socorro”, celebrated in the municipality of Güímar in September. In 2020, 7 September for the Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro, is a public holiday in Tenerife.

These festivals are accompanied by music, dancing and a lot of food and free-flowing wine. They are public and FREE: all that's required is to turn up and enjoy.

JANUARY

  • 12/01/2020 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Tigaiga, Los Realejos
  • 19/01/2020 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Arona
  • 19/01/2020 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Chío
  • 20/01/2020 – Romería de San Sebastián – Adeje
  • 25/01/2020 – El gran puchero and tradicional Baile de Magos – La Florida, La Orotava
  • 26/01/2020 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad and Ntra. Sra. la Virgen de la Esperanza – La Florida, La Orotava [Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Canarias]
  • 26/01/2020 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Buenavista del Norte
  • 26/01/2020 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Güímar
  • 26/01/2020 – Pilgrimage with animals in honor of San Antonio Abad – (Barrio de San Antonio) La Matanza

MARCH

  • 21/03/2020 – Romería de San José in Barranco Hondo (Candelaria) 
The remaining events were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

APRIL


  • 26/04/2020 – Romería de San Marcos (Tegueste) CANCELLED

MAY

  • (still to confirm) – Paseo Romero – Tíncer, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
  • (still to confirm) – Paseo romero por la Fiesta de La Cruz – Barrio del Calvario, El Sauzal
  • 01/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Alejo – San Alejo, El Tanque
  • 09/05/2020 – Romería de la Sabina Alta – Fasnia
  • 10/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro – El Pico – Tejina, La Laguna
  • (still to confirm) – Romería de Ntra. Sra. de Fátima – Valle San Lorenzo, Arona
  • (still to confirm) – Romería in honour of San Isidro – San Isidro, Granadilla de Abona
  • (still to confirm) – Paseo Romero de Aguagarcía, Tacoronte
  • [still to confirm] – Romería de San Matías – Taco, La Laguna
  • 12/05/2020 – Romería San Isidro – Arguayo, Santiago del Teide
  • 13/05/2020 – Romería de la Virgen del Buen Viaje – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
  • 15/05/2020 – Romería Chica – Los Realejos
  • 17/05/2020 – Fiesta Romera en Honor a San Isidro – Guía de Isora
  • 17/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador – Valle de Guerra, La Laguna
  • 17/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro – Guía de Isora
  • 17/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador – El Chorrillo, El Rosario
  • 17/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador – Ruigómez, El Tanque
  • 17/05/2020 – Romería in honour of Ntra. Señora de Fátima – La Sabinita, Arona
  • 31/05/2020 – Romería de Las Mercedes (La Laguna)
  • 31/05/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro Labrador – La Corujera, Santa Úrsula
  • 31/05/2020 – Romería de San Isidro Labrador – Los Realejos

JUNE

  • (still to confirm) – Paseo Romero – Puerto de la Cruz.
  • 07/06/2020 – Romería de San Isidro – Guamasa, La Laguna.
  • (still to confirm) – Romería de San Isidro Labrador – Barrio de La Mancha, Icod de Los Vinos.
  • (still to confirm) – Romería de San Antonio de Padua – Granadilla de Abona.
  • (still to confirm) – Romería de San Isidro – Tacoronte.
  • 21/06/2020 (17:30hrs) – Romería de San Juanito – Igueste, Candelaria.
  • 21/06/2019 [still to confirm] – Paseo Romero de San Juanito – Punta del Hidalgo, La Laguna.
  • 28/06/2020 – Romería de San Isidro – Las Carboneras, La Laguna.
  • 18/06/2020 – Infraoctava del Corpus Christi de La Orotava (día de las alfombras).
  • 20/06/2020 – Subida del Santo – La Orotava.
  • 21/06/2020 – Romería de San Isidro – La Orotava [Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional].

JULY

  • 04/07/2020 – Romería in honour of Santa Isabel de Portugal en El Fraile (Arona)
  • 05/07/2020 – Romería in honour of Santo Hermano Pedro de San José de Betancur – Llano del Moro, El Rosario.
  • 12/07/2020 – Romería in honour of San Benito de Abad – La Laguna [Fiesta de Interés Turístico]
  • 12/07/2020 – Paseo Romero con carros (tractores agrícolas) engalanados – Barrio de Ravelo – El Sauzal
  • 15/07/2020 – Romería chica in honour of Santa Ana y San Roque de la Villa y Puerto y Baile de Magos de San Roque – Garachico
  • 14/07/2020 – Embarcación de la Virgen del Carmen – Puerto de La Cruz
  • (still to confirm) – Romería de Santa Ana y San Joaquín – El Ortigal, La Laguna
  • (still to confirm) – Romería in honour of la Virgen del Carmen – Los Campitos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
  • 26/07/2020 – Romería de Las Nieves – Finca España, La Laguna
  • 26/07/2020 – Romería in honour of S. Antonio Abad y Sagrado Corazón de Jesús – El Portezuelo (Tegueste)
  • 26/07/2020 – Romería in honour of San antonio abad – Aguamansa (La Orotava).

AUGUST

  • 02/08/2020 – Romería in honour of la Virgen de Nuestra Señora de La Esperanza – El Rosario
  • 08/08/2020 – Bajada de las Hayas – La Guancha
  • 14/08/2020 – Romería de la Candelaria – Candelaria
  • 16/08/2020 – Romería in honour of San Roque – Garachico
  • 16/08/2020 – Romería de San Roque – Chiguergue, Guía de Isora
  • 16/08/2020 [still to confirm] – Romería in honour of San Luis Rey – El Charco del Pino, Granadilla de Abona
  • 16/08/2020 (still to confirm) – Romería Barquera in honour of San Casiano – Las Galletas, Arona
  • Finales de agosto [still to confirm] – Corazones de Tejina – Tejina, La Laguna
  • 23/08/2020 – Romería in honour of San Roque y San Agustín – Vilaflor
  • 29/08/2020 – Romería in honour of San Agustín – Arafo
  • 29/08/2020 – Romería in honour of San Isidro – La Victoria de Acentejo

SEPTEMBER

  • (still to confirm) – Romería Barquera en Honor a San Blas – Los Abrigos, Granadilla de Abona
  • 07/09/2020 – Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro – Güímar
  • 08/09/2020 – Subida de la Virgen del Socorro – Güímar
  • (still to confirm) – Romería in honour of Santa María de la Cabeza y San Isidro Labrador – Benijos, La Orotava
  • 12/09/2020 – Romería in honour of San José – San José, San Juan de La Rambla
  • 12/09/2020 – Romería de los Roques – Desde el casco de Fasnia a Los Roques
  • (still to confirm) – Romería Barquera in honour of Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes – El Médano, Granadilla de Abona
  • (still to confirm) – Romería in honour of San Miguel de Abona – San Miguel de Abona

OCTOBER

  • 04/10/2020 – Romería de La Perdoma (La Orotava)
  • 18/10/2020 – Romería en Honor a Santa Úrsula – Adeje

NOVEMBER

  • (still to confirm) – Romería del Volcán en Santiago del Teide

Tenerife in January 2020

Thrones await the Three Kings on the Eve of Epiphany, January 5th

Two public holidays begin the year: Wednesday 1 January, New Year's Day and Monday 6 January for 'Los Reyes' (Three Kings Day), or Epiphany. On The Eve of Epiphany, Sunday 5 January 2020, there will be the many visits from that very busy trio of monarchs, bringing gifts to children young and old.
 
Once again, the 22ª Feria Artesanía en Reyes (Three Kings Crafts Fair) and the 11º Mercado Navideño de Artesanía (Christmas Crafts Market) are taking place from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 January 2020. In Santa Cruz, the Three Kings crafts fair will be located in the Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias, and in the Plaza del Adelantado in La Laguna. The provisional listing for 2020 suggests a total of 77 stalls: 46 in Santa Cruz and 31 in La Laguna. All of the stall holders are licensed artisans. Opening times last year (pretty much the same each year) were from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm on the 2, 3 and 4 January; and from 11:00 am to midnight on 5 January, Eve of Epiphany, for very last minute shoppers!

Municipal holidays in January are: 20 January for the Festivity of San Sebastián in Adeje and 22 January is Festivity of San Vicente in Los Realejos.
 
Arona's San Antonio Abad 2020
Arona always bills its Romería de San Antonio Abad as the the first of the year and in 2020 this is no different. Having seen the Calendar of Romerías in Tenerife 2020, we discover that there's been one already, but we'll let it go.

These fiestas include a solemn mass and procession on Friday, January 17, followed by a chocolatada, fireworks and dancing to Orquesta Deliciosa. There's workshops, games, traditional sports and the children's festival on Saturday 18 January. And on Sunday, January 19, at 10:00 a.m., the crafts fair will take place in the Plaza del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud, while at 11.00 mass, sung by the Parranda Chasnera, will be celebrated in the parish church of San Antonio Abad. After the mass, the Romería of San Antonio Abad Romería (pilgrimage) will be celebrated, with the traditional blessing of the animals. Then there's dancing to Orquestas Wamampy and Los Teymar from 3:30 to 10:30 pm.

There's also free transportation to the romería, with departures at 10.00, 11.00 and 12.00 hours from Los Cristianos (Avenida Juan Carlos I, in front of the Infanta Leonor Auditorium) and Playa de las Américas (Calle Noelia Afonso, in front of the Hotel Zentral Center). Return at 16:00, 17:00 and 18:00 to the same points.

Complete information with the program [in Spanish] at www.arona.org

Fiestas of San Antonio Abad in Los Silos

If you're in the north of the island, however, then the town of Los Silos will also be holding its Fiestas in honour of San Antonio Abad, with the Feria del Ganado y Artesanía (Livestock and Crafts Fair) taking place behind the church and in and around the Plaza de la Luz on Sunday 19 January. Information from the town hall is that this is from 2:30 pm, with the blessing of the livestock and pets followed by the Mil Leches Salsa Band.

January's biggest events are the Festival of San Sebastián in La Caleta, Adeje on 20 January and the Fiestas of San Antonio Abad in Arona, Buenavista del Norte (4th Sunday), Chio, Gúímar, La Matanza de Acentejo, Los Silos (3rd Sunday), Tigaiga and La Florida (La Orotava). Many include Romerías and craft fairs.

Monday 20 January 2020 will see the climax of the Fiestas of San Sebastián, one of the most popular annual events on the south of the island, in La Caleta, Adeje, most famous for the bathing of horses in the sea at La Enramada beach.

As in previous years, there are several options scheduled for the Rutas de Almendros en Flor 2020 (Almond Blossom Routes), between 25 January to 15 FebruaryThe routes on offer this year are:
  • Saturday, 25 January 9am - Short general walk (4 hours, medium difficulty, minimum age 8). 
  • Saturday, 25 January 9am - Long general walk (5 hours, high difficulty, minimum age 12).
  • Saturday, 1 February 9am - Family Route (3 hours, low difficulty, minimum age 6). 
  • Saturday, 8 February 9am - "Without Barriers" route for the disabled, the elderly and their carers. Sign language translation (Spanish) available, as well as a species of sedan chair for those with mobility issues. (3.5 hours, low-medium difficulty, minimum age 6) 
  • Saturday, 15 February 9am - Lovers route for couples over 18 years, includes artistic actuations (whatever that means, but open mind might be good) and a photocall (3 hours, low difficulty, minimum age 18)
Includes guide (in Spanish only), insurance and transport.

More information and tickets for these walks can be obtained from the town hall of Santiago del Teide by phone to 922 86 31 27 or El Cardón NaturExperience, either online, at the Hotel Meliã Hacienda del Conde, Buenavista del Norte (Mon-Fri 10am - 2pm). Telephone: 922 12 79 38. 
 
Feeding the five-thousand: The district of La Florida, in La Orotava, is getting ready to honour San Antonio Abad (St Anthony the Abbot) and Ntra. Sra. la Virgen de la Esperanza (Our Lady of Hope). The Gran Puchero is being cooked, using hundreds of kilos of ingredients, on Saturday, 25 January, when events begin at around 2 pm in the afternoon. The cookout involves the entire neighbourhood, gathering about 5,000 people. And the traditional romería on Sunday, 26 January 2020, joined by large numbers of locals and pilgrims from all over the island. This year, the festival includes a wide range of recreational, cultural, religious, culinary and sporting activities, including the traditional Cattle Fair, celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the Gran Puchero (stew) cookout, one of the biggest culinary events in the Canary Islands. La Florida Festival offers a great opportunity to get acquainted with some of the finest local traditions.

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.