Tag Archives: Tenerife

Unveiling the Beauty of Teide and Monfragüe National Parks: Natural Marvels Await

August 16, 2023 Cruz Ramiro Leave a comment

Revealing the Splendor of Teide National Park: Tenerife’s Natural Marvel

Nestled within Tenerife’s captivating landscapes, the Teide National Park unveils an unparalleled showcase of the island’s innate beauty. A pristine sanctuary that stands as a crown jewel, it grants access to a realm of wonders that captivates the hearts of all who tread upon its sacred grounds.

Teide National Park is a symphony of contrasts, where the rugged and the delicate harmoniously coexist. The iconic Mount Teide, a sentinel of epochs, gracefully punctuates the skyline, its volcanic silhouette merging with the heavens.

As the sun’s embrace transforms the horizon into a canvas of gold and rose, the peak’s fiery hues ignite, weaving an enchantment that transcends the mundane.

Embarking into Teide’s realm is a journey through timelessness. The ancient whispers of winds through time-worn pines and meandering rock formations recount the Earth’s history.

Along its pathways, a tapestry of ecosystems unfolds, ranging from lunar landscapes to luxuriant forests nurturing unique flora and fauna.

Cast your gaze upward, and you partake in a cosmic ballet. Teide National Park’s UNESCO World Heritage status is fitting, as its unpolluted skies unveil a celestial observatory.

As daylight fades, a symphony of stars emerges, revealing constellations that have steered both explorers and dreamers across generations.

Yet, Teide’s allure extends beyond the visual. Its spiritual significance to the indigenous Guanche people threads a cultural tapestry that harmonizes with the natural splendor.

A profound respect for the land and mountain, once sacred, imbues the park with a reverence, beckoning visitors to connect with primal energy.

In every season, Teide National Park metamorphoses, presenting an ever-changing spectacle.

From winter’s frosty embrace to spring’s burst of colors, each visit crafts a distinct chapter in the saga of nature’s artistry.

Teide National Park beckons as a haven of limitless beauty, inviting you to step within its embrace and experience a symphony woven from nature, culture, and history.

Amidst the shadow of Mount Teide or beneath the stars’ glow, this haven transforms from a destination into a pilgrimage into Tenerife’s soul-stirring essence.

Monfragüe National Park: Extremadura’s Wilderness Enclave

Cradled within Extremadura’s rugged landscapes, Monfragüe National Park emerges as an untamed haven of beauty. This pristine sanctuary, a treasure within Extremadura’s crown, unveils a realm of awe-inspiring wonders that captivate the senses and leave an indelible imprint on all who venture into its wild expanse.

Monfragüe National Park is a symphony of contradictions, where raw terrain merges with elemental grace. The majestic rock formations and undulating hills provide a dramatic backdrop to nature’s intricate dance.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the landscape transforms, awash in fiery hues that mirror Extremadura’s passionate spirit.

Stepping into Monfragüe’s embrace is a sojourn through the timeless. The ancient tales whispered by rustling leaves and echoing bird calls narrate the land’s ancient legacy.

Wandering its trails, you traverse a patchwork of ecosystems, from sun-kissed meadows to dense forests cradling unique flora and fauna.

Lift your gaze skyward and partake in a celestial performance. Monfragüe National Park’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status pays homage to its pristine skies, a portal to the cosmos. As day surrenders to night, a starscape unfurls, unveiling constellations that have guided explorers and dreamers through countless ages.

However, Monfragüe’s allure transcends the visual. The park’s rich historical and cultural significance adds another layer of allure. Echoes of ancient civilizations and their profound connections to the land waft on the breeze, allowing visitors to forge a link to the past amid the present wilderness.

With the shift of seasons, Monfragüe National Park assumes a new visage, inviting visitors to witness its ever-evolving spectacle. From spring’s vibrant renewal to autumn’s shrouded mystique, each visit scripts a distinct chapter in the ongoing narrative of nature’s artistry.

Monfragüe National Park, a sanctuary of unspoiled beauty, entices you to enter its realm and encounter the untamed symphony of nature, history, and wilderness.

Whether standing awestruck before iconic rock formations or listening to whispers carried by the wind, this sanctuary transcends being a mere location—it’s an expedition into the heart of Extremadura’s wild essence

Nature and Ecology

Unveiling the Enchanting Saga of Tenerife: From Ancient Guanches to Modern Marvels

August 2, 2023 Carmen Gomaro Leave a comment

Embark on an extraordinary journey through time as we delve into the captivating tale of Tenerife’s history, a saga spanning over 12 million years. Nestled in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands have been shaped by magnificent tectonic plate collisions and awe-inspiring volcanic eruptions, giving birth to the stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems that grace the archipelago today.

Among these seven paradisiacal isles, Tenerife reigns as the grandest, spanning over 2034 square kilometers and home to a vibrant population of approximately one million. Its modern capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, majestically resides in the island’s northern reaches.

In the shadowy mists of antiquity, the enigmatic Guanches, known as the “Sons of Tenerife,” roamed this mystical land. These ancient island dwellers captivate the imagination with their extraordinary features of tall stature, fair skin, blond hair, and striking blue eyes – a true marvel under the equatorial sun.

As whispers of myths and legends intertwine with history, the origins of the Guanches remain veiled in mystery. Some daringly speculate a connection to the fabled inhabitants of Atlantis, igniting the fires of wonder in the hearts of historians and mythologists alike.

Despite their primitive lifestyle, the Guanches astounded with their complex social hierarchy, governed by a wise mensée and an esteemed council of elders. Ingeniously skilled in mummifying their departed and preserving fabrics with paint resistant to the relentless equatorial sun, the Guanches left behind remnants of their ingenuity akin to clay stamps found in faraway lands.

Bound by reverence for the celestial luminaries, the sun and stars, the Guanches held Mount Teide in the highest veneration. Spirituality entwined with their daily lives as they worshipped ancestral spirits, venerating Tara and bowing to the supreme deity, Achman. Gofio, a delicacy crafted from corn and barley flour, echoes their culinary heritage in modern-day Canary Islands’ cuisine.

The echoes of the Guanches’ ritualism resonate in stone pyramids, shrouded in the mists of time, discovered by the esteemed Thor Heyerdahl. These pyramids, reminiscent of structures found in Peru and Mexico, now stand as a testament to the Guanches’ enigmatic practices in the Ethnographic Park of the Pyramids of Guimar.

Photo: Tenerife. Spain. Ethnographic Park of the Pyramids of Guimar.

As the Spanish quest for conquest unfolded in the 15th century, the Guanches valiantly resisted with mere sticks and stones. Benahoro, a formidable leader, fiercely faced the Spanish conquistadors, notably Alonso de Lugo. Alas, the prolonged warfare and devastating epidemics took their toll, ultimately leading to the Guanches’ surrender and enslavement in 1496, forever marking a poignant chapter in Tenerife’s annals.

Through the passage of time, cultural assimilation with the Spanish ensued, and the Guanches embraced Catholic Christianity, preserving remnants of their culture in traditions, legends, and enigmatic myths.

Photo: Guanches embraced Catholic Christianity. Spain

Journey to the Museum of Tenerife’s History, a treasure trove of cultural heritage and social legacy, where ancient artifacts and century-old maps of the Canary Islands conjure whispers of times long past. Housed within the historic walls of the 1593-built Casa Lercado mansion in La Laguna, the museum beckons intrepid souls to unlock the secrets of the ages.

Photo: Museum of Tenerife’s History. Spain.

As the centuries unfurled, Tenerife’s shores embraced the allure of tourism, with the northern realm flourishing in the late 19th century and the southern reaches flourishing with modernity in the 1970s. Behold the majestic panorama of hotels and shops at Las Americas, a tourism hub adorned with contemporary marvels.

Today, Tenerife’s enchanting history intertwines seamlessly with its vibrant present, where approximately 70% of the island’s locals thrive in the tourism industry. A significant portion engages in the agricultural prowess that secures the Canary Islands’ place as the world’s second-largest exporter of bananas.

Unravel the enigmatic tapestry of Tenerife, where the ancient echoes coalesce with modern marvels, beckoning travelers from every corner of the globe to bask in its timeless allure.

SPANISH HISTORY

The Enchanting Tale of Tenerife’s History

July 21, 2023 Carmen Gomaro Leave a comment

The Enchanting Tale of Tenerife’s History

The history of Tenerife, like that of the entire Canary Islands, dates back approximately 12 million years. The stunning landscape, peculiar formations, and unique ecosystem are all the result of tectonic plate collisions and powerful volcanic eruptions that shaped the terrain of these modern-day Canary Islands.

As an autonomous region of Spain, the Canary Islands are situated close to the equator, surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Among the seven islands in the archipelago, Tenerife stands as the largest, covering an area of 2034 square kilometers and boasting a population of around 1 million people. The modern capital is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located in the northern part of the island.

Long before the arrival of seafarers, the Canary Islands were inhabited by a people known as the Guanches, which translates to “Sons of Tenerife” in their language.

These ancient islanders were characterized by their tall stature, fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes, a unique contrast to the typical image of island dwellers under the equatorial sun.

The origin of this people remains a mystery, a subject of speculation for historians and a source of beautiful myths for mythologists. Some historians even propose a connection between the ancient inhabitants of Tenerife and a long-lost race that once inhabited Atlantis.

Photo: History Tenerife. Atlantis. Spain.

Despite their primitive lifestyle, the Guanches had a complex social hierarchy. Each tribe was governed by a mensée (leader) and a council of elders. They lacked metalworking skills and weapons but were skilled in mummifying their dead and had a secret method of applying paint to fabrics that resisted fading under the scorching equatorial sun. The Guanches crafted clay stamps, similar to those found in modern-day Mexico.

According to legends, the ancient islanders worshipped the sun, stars, and the imposing Mount Teide. They deified spirits, venerated their ancestor Tara, and revered the highest deity, known as Achman. Engaging in agriculture and livestock farming, they made a dish called gofio from corn and barley flour, a delicacy still present in the Canary Islands’ cuisine today.

Studies conducted under the patronage of Thor Heyerdahl have revealed that the Guanches constructed stone pyramids for ritual purposes, bearing a striking resemblance to step pyramids found in Peru, Mexico, and other parts of the world. These pyramids can still be seen in the Ethnographic Park of the Pyramids of Guimar, located in the town of Guimar in the island’s north.

Photo: Ethnographic Park. History Tenerife. Spain.

The Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands began in the 15th century, but it was not an instantaneous victory. The Guanches, armed only with sticks and stones, resisted the Spanish conquistadors for a prolonged period.

One of their leaders, Benahoro, led fierce resistance against the conquistador Alonso de Lugo. However, weakened by prolonged warfare and epidemics, the Guanches eventually surrendered in 1496 and were enslaved, marking a new chapter in Tenerife’s history.

Photo: Alonso de Lugo. Tenerife’s history. Spain.

Cultural and ethnic assimilation with the Spanish began, and the islanders gradually embraced Catholic Christianity, following the example of their leaders. As a result, little remains of the Guanches’ culture except for their traditions, legends, and enigmatic myths about their origins.

An intriguing site worth exploring is the Museum of Tenerife’s History. Its exhibits provide insight into the cultural and social heritage of the ancient inhabitants.

The museum boasts a considerable collection of maps of the Canary Islands, some dating back to the 16th century. Located in the historical center of La Laguna, the museum is housed in the 1593-built Casa Lercado mansion.

Tourism on Tenerife started developing as early as the late 19th century, beginning in the northern part of the island with the establishment of the first resort in Puerto de la Cruz.

In the 1970s, the artificial development of the southern region commenced, centered around Los Gigantes. The massive, modern complex of hotels and shops in Las Americas grew in the 1970s and 1980s, now standing as a tourism hub on the island.

Presently, approximately 70% of the island’s local population is engaged in the tourism industry. Additionally, a significant portion is involved in agriculture, as the Canary Islands rank second globally as exporters of bananas. Tenerife’s captivating history and vibrant present make it a destination that continues to allure visitors from all corners of the world.

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Tag Archives: Tenerife

Unveiling the Beauty of Teide and Monfragüe National Parks: Natural Marvels Await

Unveiling the Enchanting Saga of Tenerife: From Ancient Guanches to Modern Marvels

The Enchanting Tale of Tenerife’s History

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