Artenara – Cave Culture, Rock Chapels and Nature

Artenara combines rock archaeology, sacred spaces, traditional craft techniques and landscapes bearing archaeological traces. When choosing a holiday apartment in Artenara, these themes can be considered as different focal points in your own planning.

Culture and History

Risco Caído is an archaeological cave site from the troglodyte period, with 21 caves and rock depictions associated with magical-religious beliefs and fertility cults. In one cave, a small opening in the ceiling allows a beam of light to fall onto the walls from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox, illuminating rock engravings there. Risco Caído belongs to the cultural landscape “Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria”, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the unique value of this key site of indigenous Canarian culture.

The Iglesia de San Matías has two square towers made of red Tirma stone, a floor plan with three naves and an ornate coffered ceiling made of tea pine wood in the Neo-Mudejar style. The present building was constructed in 1870 after an earlier chapel dating from 1630; the towers were not completed until the middle of the 20th century. About 500 metres from the centre of Artenara lies the Capilla de la Virgen de la Cuevita, carved into the rock. It was enlarged in the rock during the last third of the 19th century; the altar, choir, pulpit and confessional were carved out of the stone.

Lugarejos pottery is made by hand without a potter’s wheel; the raw clay pieces are fired outdoors rather than in a Roman kiln. The Centro Locero de Lugarejos was founded in 1994 to revive the pottery tradition after an almost 30-year interruption; Mari León continues this tradition today.

The Balcón de Unamuno was built in 1999 as part of the opening of the Ruta de Unamuno on Gran Canaria, to commemorate Miguel de Unamuno’s stay on the island in 1910. A sculpture created by Manolo González stands there, depicting Miguel de Unamuno contemplating the landscape.

The Cuevas del Caballero are an archaeological group of twelve natural caves, most of which were made habitable through modification. They lie along a south-facing rock band and offer views of Bentayga and the Nublo basin. Rock depictions of various forms can be seen in three of the caves; the site is associated with places of great magical-religious significance to the ancient Canarians.

Landscape and Nature

Almost the entire municipality of Artenara belongs to Tamadaba Natural Park. The Mesa de Acusa is reminiscent of the structure of an ancient volcano: the layers of this volcano rose to considerable heights and were eroded over time. It is regarded as a landscape where prehistory, history and biological diversity come together.

The Parralillo Reservoir in the Barranco Grande area is of interest to ornithologists. Among others, little egrets, grey herons, coots, little ringed plovers, sandpipers and yellow-legged gulls can be found there.

Routes and Visits

The Ruta de Acusa Seca begins at the Plaza de Artenara; the unpaved route to Acusa Seca starts near the Artenara cemetery. The Monumento del Corazón de Jesús can be reached via a staircase path to the right of the entrance to the Mirador de La Cilla. It is crowned by an eight-and-a-half-metre-high sculpture erected in 1996.

The Cueva de Los Candiles lies on a cliff near Montaña de Artenara and contains more than 300 engraved female pubic triangles on its walls. Access to its interior is restricted to heritage conservation visits; however, the engravings can be seen from outside through the locked gate.

The Museo Etnográfico de las “Casas Cuevas” de Artenara comprises three former dwellings that were probably inhabited by the pre-Hispanic population of this place. Its interior is furnished with items typical of the area and its period, dating approximately from 50 to 150 years ago. The museum offers guided tours for groups; prior contact is recommended.

The Feast of the Virgen de la Cuevita takes place in the second half of August. On the last Sunday of the month, the image of the Virgin is carried in a procession from the Iglesia de San Matías back to its chapel carved into the rock.

Further destinations: Teror, Lomo Quiebre, Arguineguín, Santa Brígida, Balcon de Telde, Valleseco, Santa Lucía De Tirajana, Santa María De Guía De Gran Canaria

For the higher-level travel overview: Gran Canaria.