Gran Canaria's Typical Villages

Explore the Quaint Mountain Villages of Fataga and San Bartolome

Jul 30, 2008 Liz Correal

Gran Canaria's history unfolds in the small towns and villages of the rural areas; churches, museums and handcrafted souvenirs are just a few of the things to be found.

Gran Canaria’s Volcanic Centre

When driving away from the main coastal resort of Maspalomas; head either inland towards the rugged interior of Gran Canaria or along the motorway for exploring the eastern coastal region and places such as the cave homes of Guayadeque. Both routes will quickly bring about an abrupt change in the scenery and transport you into what is in reality,the true Canaries.

Ascending the winding road that leads to the volcanic heart of the island; the huge hotels give second place to the quaint, hillside villages that are typical of the Canary Islands.

Villages of Colour

The houses in the mountain villages; many built on unbelievably steep cliff sides, are painted a brilliant white, which reflects glaringly in the brightness of the sun. The picturesque homes have red tiled roofs, and are decorated with trailing vines and pots of colourful flowers which add a vibrant patchwork to the otherwise barren hillsides.

Fataga for Canarian Wine and Handicrafts

This tiny hamlet is set high on a small plateau and its tiny cobbled streets are overflowing with pots of flowers. Parking in the centre of Fataga is difficult but worth the effort. There is a large restaurant called La Talla, which has the only car parking facilities in the area, making it an excellent place to stop for coffee before taking a stroll around the village.

On the outskirts of the village there is a large bodega where it is possible to sample and buy the locally produced wine, and the street side shops offer some very unusual, hand crafted souvenirs.

Continue the Climb Upwards to San Bartolome de Tirajana

The road continues steeply upwards from Fataga; until it reaches the next small town that nestles in the side of Gran Canaria’s central volcanic crater. At an altitude of almost nine hundred metres above sea-level, is San Bartolome de Tirajana, or Tunte, as it was originally called by the village’s aboriginal founders.

A Place Full of Surprises

Tunte is a quiet place that hides many interesting surprises. The church, at the centre of the town, is one of the few that maintains its doors open for visitors all day long. In the cool interior there are admirable arched columns, a magnificent wooden ceiling and a fifteenth century carving that is unique to the Canaries.

Santiago’s Fruit Shop

In front of the church is a small shop that sells many different types of local produce, fruit, traditional biscuits made from almonds and a liqueur particular to Tunte. The owner Santiago passes his days seated in the doorway of the shop; cutting and offering the reddy-purple, thirst quenching cactus fruit called `tunos´ to the passing visitors.

The Renovated Mill and Wash Houses

On the road leading out of San Bartolome, and across from Santiago’s shop, is a beautiful example of a Canarian gofio and water mill, called La Hacienda, recently renovated to an outstanding level. In typical island style; the building centres on an open-air courtyard or patio, which is overlooked by the sturdy wooden balconies that decorate the first floor.

Behind the mill, which is now an interpretation centre and museum, and tucked away down a narrow side street are the local communal wash houses. Women from the village still gather to wash clothes, and gossip at the old stone sinks; though the scent from the soap has changed over the years and now has a distinctly biological aroma.

Still looking for more? After discovering the beauty of Gran Canaria's rugged interior, why not head towards the north and find the treasure hidden amongst the banana plantations.

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