El Amparo – Hermitage, Traditions and Trails

The Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Amparo was built in 1598 at the initiative of Pedro Méndez, known as Pedro de la Cruz. The architectural complex of the hermitage, including the former hermit's house, has been recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC). The hermitage is located in the Barrio del Amparo. Along the Camino de El Amparo are buildings featuring examples of vernacular architecture from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Casa Campino was protected in 2004 as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in the “Monument” category and is located on the old path that led to the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. del Amparo.

The four themes have different focuses: Culture leads to named buildings and traditions, Gofio to a family-run artisan business, and Trails to a described connection from the mountain area to the town. These differences help organise the information according to your own interests without reducing the distinctive features of El Amparo to a single aspect of the area.

Culture

As part of “Icod Turístico”, the Lavaderos del Bebedero were included in introductory tours of cultural heritage sites in Icod de los Vinos. The local traditions of Icod de los Vinos also include the Comedias del Amparo. The cultural context therefore extends beyond individual buildings and also encompasses named forms of local customs.

Traditions

During the Romería del Poleo, participants climb the mountain to collect poleo for the festival of the Virgin. They dance and sing with the collected leaves; during the festivities, the leaves are used to decorate the streets of the Barrio del Amparo. The poleo collected during the Romería del Poleo also decorates the portal of the Iglesia Nuestra Señora de El Amparo. The procession is accompanied by traditional music from the Orquesta del Poleo in the rhythm of the Tajaraste.

In El Amparo, during Los Hachitos de San Juan, floral hachitos, ribbons, seeds and banners are carried up the mountain, where people dance around a bonfire. The two customs therefore differ in their visible elements: the Romería centres on collecting poleo, singing and Tajaraste music, while Los Hachitos focuses on the decorative elements being carried and dancing around the fire.

Gofio

Molino de Gofio El Amparo is a family-run business founded in Icod de los Vinos in the 1920s. It offers artisanally produced varieties of gofio, including millet, five-grain and wheat varieties. These gofios are made from millet, a mixture of five types of grain and wheat. This theme therefore directly brings together the company's history, its production method and the grain varieties mentioned.

Further Places

Further destinations to discover include La Florida, Santa Barbara, Vega Alta and Cueva Del Viento.

Trails

The Bajada del Poleo begins in Arenas Negras, follows the Pista de La Montañeta to the Casa Forestal de Icod (El Lagar), and then continues along the “El Lance” path to the Plaza de El Amparo. From El Amparo, a road leads through La Vega to La Montañeta. The sequence of the named waypoints thus connects Arenas Negras, La Montañeta, El Lagar and El Amparo in a clearly described direction. Numerous trails lead from El Amparo to the peaks.

For the higher-level travel overview: Icod De Los Vinos.