Do you know that the first city founded in the Canary Islands, after the arrival of the conquerors, settled in the Fuerteventura island?
It will be easy for you to understand why this place is called Betancuria If I remind you that the conqueror of the Canary Islands for kingdom of castile it was the french Jean de Bethencourt, with its expedition of French soldiers from Normandy.
Indeed, the town of Santa Maria de Betancuria, currently, a very small and pretty town, almost a village, was founded in 14o4 and is considered the first capital of the Canary Islands.
Located in the central west of the island, it is perhaps the place where you can see the most historical vestiges in Fuerteventura, such as the church of Santa Maria, that was the first cathedral of the Canary Islands.
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What to see when visiting Betancuria
But in your walk through BetancuriaAbove all, you will enjoy characteristic corners of country architecture.
As a first step you can visit the small Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum of Betancuria, where in three rooms you can see objects that allow you to learn about the ways of life of the first aboriginal settlers of the island thanks to the information panels, ceramics, models and other objects.
But really your visit should focus on the group of buildings that is concentrated around the aforementioned church of Santa Maria.
In reality, it is an area rehabilitated by a German businessman, with some shops and restaurants where German, British and Nordic tourists meet daily by bus. excursion throughout the island of Fuerteventura.
There you will see various corners with the characteristic island architecture, combining stone with lime walls and wooden balconies.
Church of Santa María in Betancuria
With regards to church of Santa Maria, its origin dates back to a first building built by the conquerors in 1410 following the guidelines of the French Gothic style of the XNUMXth century.
Destroyed in 1593 by pirates, the current building began construction in the XNUMXth century, and it combines Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque elements.
Our Lady of La Peña Hermitage in Betancuria
If you are interested, a little further south of Betancuria, next to the main road, you have the Hermitage of Our Lady of La Peña, dedicated to the patron saint of Fuerteventura, and where every September a pilgrimage is held in her honor.
It is a building that began construction in 1705, and came to replace another hermitage that had existed since the XNUMXth century and which disappeared.
Photos of Betancuria in Fuerteventura
To give you an idea of what you are going to find on your trip, below you have more photos of Betancuria in Fuerteventura.
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