El Escobonal: Culture, Crafts and Landscape in Tenerife

El Escobonal makes its past tangible through specific places. The Antigua Ermita de San José was built and consecrated in the mid-18th century and formed the centre around which El Escobonal developed. Following restoration work at the beginning of the 21st century, the ruins can now be visited. The Antigua Ermita de San José is located next to the old Camino Real; it can be reached via a turn-off at the entrance to El Escobonal and along the Camino la Tirada. The historic centre, ruins and connection to the route provide different ways of approaching this part of the area's history.

Culture

In the town centre stands the Fonda del Escobonal, an example of traditional Canarian architecture in the Agache region built at the beginning of the 20th century. Historically, it served for many years as a stopping point and overnight accommodation for travellers from the south of Tenerife. The Fonda del Escobonal was restored for use as a cultural centre. Another cultural attraction is the Museo Arqueológico, Costumbrista y Naturalista, with an archaeological collection whose particular focus is on Guanche culture. Architectural history, the town centre and archaeology each set their own accents, which can be distinguished conceptually when exploring the area.

Crafts

Alfar de Agael is a pottery workshop in El Escobonal that teaches traditional pottery techniques used by the former inhabitants of the Canary Islands. Workshops in traditional pottery are offered there. In its production process, Alfar de Agael uses different types of clay, almagre for colouring and creating designs, charcoal for slips, and picón sand so that the pieces can withstand the heat of firing. The workshop focuses not only on the finished piece, but also on the various components and stages of the work. A workshop and engagement with the materials used represent two different ways of looking at craft tradition.

Landscape

El Escobonal preserves the traditional agricultural landscape in the south of the island. This aspect of the landscape complements the historical and craft-related themes with a spatial perspective on the area. Those who wish to compare different priorities when planning their own trip can consider culture, pottery and agricultural landscape as separate interests, without assigning them to a single day's itinerary.

When choosing a holiday apartment for El Escobonal, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can reflect different priorities. This is particularly helpful when culture is the personal focus and the accommodation details are not to be mixed with the area's attractions. In this way, the information about the holiday apartment can be considered in line with one's own travel plans, while the cultural sites are considered separately from the accommodation decision and the remaining interests remain open.

For choosing the area, the topics of culture, crafts, landscape and routes can be weighted independently of one another.

Further area page: El Tablero.

Routes

A route through the mid-altitude areas of the Agache and Fasnia regions follows the Camino Real del Sur and begins in the town of El Escobonal at the parish church of San José.

To the higher-level travel overview: Güimar.