What to see and do in La Laguna in 1 day, World Heritage in Tenerife

My last  trip to Tenerife, In the Canary Islands, has allowed me to be able visit La Laguna with the eyes of a tourist, and I found it a charming place.

A long time ago I lived in La Laguna for a year, but between that it was a stay mandatory (the military), and that the city at that time was very poorly maintained, at that time I was not able to appreciate its artistic and cultural wealth.

The great university atmosphere alone made it an interesting place to live.

For La Laguna has been a before and after the declaration in 1999 by the Unesco town Heritage.

This designation led to a complete rehabilitation of the city, with renovation of its buildings and pedestrianization of its main streets.

The result is that La Laguna Nowadays it has become a place with great charm, a reference for cultural life and leisure on the island, surpassing the decayed city of Santa Cruz, current capital of the island of Tenerife.

History of La Laguna

In a way it has been a return to the origins, when it was La Laguna the capital of said Canary Island.

San Cristobal de La Laguna, which is its full name, was founded in 1497 by the Advanced Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, and was designated capital of the island of Tenerife because it is located in the interior, and thus avoids pirate attacks.

The city began to develop from the space now occupied by the Adelantado Square, and from the beginning it concentrated political and ecclesiastical powers, with the headquarters of the Island Council and Bishopric.

In addition, it also had military power by hosting the camp with the headquarters of the General Captaincy of the Canary Islands.

During the 16th century, they were built palatial buildings, at the same time that an urban configuration of perpendicular streets was developed, typical of what modern cities are now, compared to the motley configuration with narrow streets, characteristic of medieval walled cities.

La Laguna, World Heritage Site

This configuration of modern city which it already had at the end of the 16th century, and which was taken as an example for the development of new cities on the American continent, is the reason why Unesco decided to declare it Heritage.

In the following centuries, the lagoon next to the city (which gave its name) dried up, which led to its extension by the so-called Vega Lagunera, although little by little La Laguna was losing weight compared to the more prosperous neighboring city of Santa Cruz.

It was at the time of Ferdinand VII when La Laguna lost the capital status of the island, although in 1927 the city was established first university in the Canary Islands.

As I have seen on my last trip to the island of Tenerife, currently The Lagoonhas had a great recovery of its strength compared to Santa Cruz, a city that is instead suffering the loss of the advantages it had as free port.

La Laguna and Santa Cruz They are now united urban-wise, and the new tram that facilitates communication between the two has turned the former into a priority leisure area for the residents of the current capital.

What to see when visiting La Laguna

La visit of the historic center of La Laguna well you can start in the Plaza del Adelantado.

Plaza del Adelantado in La Laguna

It is the geographical center of the city in the 15th century, when political and ecclesiastical power along with military power was concentrated in its churches and mansions, since there was a camp very close by.

In said square you can now see the Hermitage of San Miguel, from 1506, where the first meetings of the Cabildo of Tenerife.

Saint Catherine of Siena Monastery

But, above all, the monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, with its two mullioned exteriors that will catch your attention, and the Palacio de Nava, which combines the mannerist, baroque and neoclassical styles.

If from there you take the Bishop King Redondo Street to the Conception Square, on the left side you will have a succession of historical buildings.

House of the Corregidor in La Laguna

Among them, the House of the Corregidor, one of the oldest buildings in La Laguna, which was the headquarters of the old Cabildo of the island, or the Alhóndiga House, built in 1705.

Other palaces that you will see with their colorful and very careful facades are the Casa de los Capitanes, so called because he lived there during the 18th century, or the House table, on whose façade the family coat of arms stands out.

On this route you will pass through the church of Our Lady of the Remedies, from the 16th century, which was Laguna Cathedral in 1819.

TOURS and EXCURSIONS in TENERIFE

- Teide Cable Car Tickets
- Excursion to Teide from the south of Tenerife
- Excursion to Teide from the north of Tenerife
- Teide, La Orotava and La Laguna Observatory
- Complete tour of the island of Tenerife
- Private tour of Tenerife

In the parallel St. Augustine Street highlights the Lercaro palace, from the end of the 16th century that is now the headquarters of the Tenerife History Museum.

Along with it, you have the Salazar house, from the 16th century, seat of the Bishopric until 2006 when it suffered a fire.

And nearby you will find the building of the church and former Hospital of Our Lady of Sorrows, which was the first charity center in the city in 1515.

Next to this building you have the church and former convent of San Agustín, founded in 1506 by the Augustinians.

Located next to a beautiful garden area, the church suffered a fire in 1964, and is still awaiting restoration.

Our Lady Conception Church in La Laguna

Finally you will reach the Doctor Olivera Square, where you find the Church of Our Lady of the Conception.

The original parish dates back to 1511, although at the end of the last century, due to its great deterioration, a reconstruction was carried out.

The most prominent element of this church, one of the iconic monuments of La Laguna, is its tower from the late 17th century.

This is nothing more than a sample of the numerous monuments and mansions that you can see during a walk through La Laguna, a visit that I can tell you will be delighted.