Femés – History and Landscape in the Los Ajaches Massif

Femés is located in the Los Ajaches Massif at 450 metres above sea level; the mountain ranges extend from northwest to southeast. The well-preserved village retains many houses of historic and architectural value.

When comparing holiday apartments in Femés, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions provide three straightforward points of reference on the listings page. Depending on the period you want, the room layout and your flexibility regarding changes, the listings can be weighted differently.

Culture and History

The church of San Marcial del Rubicón, located in Femés in the municipality of Yaiza, was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category and placed under protection on 20 December 1985. The historic church was built in 1630 and replaced the old hermitage-cathedral destroyed by English pirates in 1593.

San Marcial del Rubicón Church and the adjoining buildings, once owned by the Diocese of the Canary Islands, stand on Plaza de San Marcial. At the entrance to the village is the Casona de Femés, also known as Casa de Marcial de Ganzo. For use by the local community, it has a Canarian courtyard, a threshing floor, garden areas and several rooms for talks and workshops, as well as activities for children and young people.

Femés was the first capital of the archipelago in the 15th century. Another historical connection is the sculpture María, la de Femés at the foot of the Femés viewpoint. Cintia Machín created it on commission from the municipality; the sculpture commemorates Arozarena's stay in the village, which inspired him to write one of the best-known works of Canarian literature.

Festivals and Local Connections

In Femés, the Fiestas de San Marcial are held on 7 July in honour of the patron saint, with a solemn Mass followed by a procession; the festival is more than 600 years old. The Fiestas del Rosario, held in honour of the Virgen del Rosario, include a Romería, a Mass and a procession. They last four days, with the main day of the festival being 7 October.

Visitors can take home traditionally made goat's cheese from the area around Femés. Different cultural venues, festival dates and local specialities each provide distinct focal points for personal planning.

Other nearby places: Las Breñas, Playa Blanca, Uga, Las Casitas De Femés, El Golfo

Nature and Hiking

A route through the Los Ajaches Massif connects mountain and coastal landscapes via hiking trails with historical and geomorphological significance and ends at the beaches of Papagayo. Anyone wishing to compare different activity focuses can consider the two route descriptions separately.

Another route offers a central viewpoint over Los Ajaches at Morro de la Loma del Pozo, from where the massif's valleys, ravines and steep slopes are visible in every direction; it then descends to the coast and the secluded beaches of La Casita and El Pozo.

For the broader travel overview: Yaiza.