La Aldea de San Nicolás

Overview

The beautiful town of La Aldea de San Nicolás, previously known as San Nicolás de Tolentino, lies in the west most province of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas. It is the birthplace of Román Rodriguez Rodriguez who was President of the Canary Islands between 1999-2003.

Locals know the province as La Aldea and it is best known for exporting tomatoes, with 100,000 going out every year. Although they are not the perfect round, blush red we might be used to, they are said to have the best flavour of all tomatoes grown in the Canary Islands.

The most striking feature of the area is the tremendous landscape. A mixture of barren, mountain tops and lush green of the valley has resulted in 90 per cent of the area being protected. Parque Rural del Roque Nublo, Parque Natural de Tamadaba, Reserva Natural Integral de Inagua and the Special Nature Reserve of Güi-Güi are all in, or overlap into La Aldea.

The actual town has an old quarter teeming with traditional Canarian aspects such as architecture. Some buildings date back to the 17^th Century, such as Casa del Balcón, which was the first house in the town centre. More can be learnt of the traditional culture at the Museo Vivo. If you are in the area around the 11^th of September the Fiesta del Charco, Festival of the Lagoon in English, is not to be missed.

History

La Aldea has always been an agricultural area and during a day at the Museo Vivo you can learn and get involved with the way the aboriginal people of the island lived. Here you can care for animals and use natural resources from the land to make food and cloth.

A number of archaeological discoveries of mud and stone idols are evidence of the natives’ religious past. Like many similar areas in the Canary Islands the mixture of the caves, cliffs and large green areas were considered perfect for ancient settlers. Therefore, the main basin of the valley hosted a number of settlements.

Barranco de la Aldea was the site of the most important settlement, called El Poblado de Caserones. You can visit the area where the relics were found at Los Caserones but the artefacts themselves have been moved to the Museo Canario in Las Palmas. Another historical artefact of note is the Túmulo Funerario, a burial mound at the Lomo de Caserones at La Aldea beach.

Monks who landed on the Playa de La Aldea after traveling from Mallorca built the original Chapel of La Aldea de San Nicolás. However, the chapel was replaced by another, built further up the valley after the conquest of the town by the Castilians.

Culture

This close-knit community is very religious, and traditions here are important, as demonstrated in their fiestas. The area is proud of its produce, which is evident in the number of local dishes, such as boiled eel served with mojo sauce and Caldo de Pescado (fish soup).

Economy

Agriculture has always been the main source of income for La Aldea. Tomatoes are the biggest export, however a number of other fruits, such as bananas were introduced during the Civil War to deal with recession and to feed the town. The Civil War also kickstarted the sugar cane industry, which in turn gave rise to the local rum industry.

How To Get There

The most scenic route from Las Palmas to La Aldea de San Nicolás is one that takes you through the centre of the island on the GC-210. Take the Autopista del Sur going along the east and south coasts, taking the Carretera del Centro as far as Artenara and continue down the road where you will pass the dams. However, you can take the GC-2 and the GC-200 along the north coast of the island, which takes about 20 minutes less.

If you choose to take a bus from Las Palmas take Bus 10 to Puerto De Mogán. From there take the Bus 38, which leaves four times a day towards La Aldea de San Nicolás along the south route. You can also take Bus 105 to Gáldar in the North and then Bus 101 to La Aldea.

Sights

Parque Rural del Roque Nublo

In this park, the largest protected area in Gran Canaria, you can find the Roque Nublo (Rock in the Cloud), the symbol of the Island. The 3,000 hectare area runs into Tejeda, Mogán, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Artenara, San Mateo, Valleseco and Moya. Many of the island’s indigenous plants can be found in the park. The site of the Roque Nublo offers excellent views. It is a fifteen minute walk up from a small car park.

Parque Natural de Tamadaba

This is one of the oldest natural areas of Gran Canaria and again spreads not just across La Aldea but also, Agaete and Artenara. If you are planning a trip to this park, drive round to the parking and picnic area, which are situated around the western end of the forest. From the picnic place walk through to the rocks for the most beautiful views. Drive to Artenara and follow the signs to Tamadaba. Alternatively you can walk there from Agaete, Berrazales or San Pedro. 

Reserva Natural Integral de Inagua

This is slightly different from the other nature reserves in the area as it is a pine forest. The trees are a perfect environment for a number of birds, which has led to its being named a Zona de Protección Especial de Aves (Specially Protected Bird Area). The reserve also offers excellent views of the coast.

Special Nature Reserve of Güi-Güi

This is an area with beautiful scenery. It plays host to many indigenous plant species and marine birds. Along the trails here you will see a number of harmless animals such as lizards, dragon flies and birds.

Cactualdea Parque

Here you will find every type of cactus under the sun! At least 1200 different species are on display in the parks grounds from all over the world such as Madagascar, Bolivia and Mexico. Depending on the time of year you go, different cacti will be showing off their beautiful flowers. Mixed in with the cacti are amazing Dragon Trees and a huge variety of palm trees and aloes.

The Cactualdea also offers the chance to learn more about the Canarian culture with its model of a Guanche cave, restaurant serving traditional dishes alongside international food and the chance to experience the ‘La Lucha Canaria’ in the parks amphitheatre. Meaning ‘The Canarian Fight’, La Lucha Canaria is an important tradition and is similar to Sumo wrestling.

There is also a collection of birds and animals including ostriches, peacocks and goats. This is an excellent place for families as there is a lot to do, see and learn.

Address: Carretera del Hoyo, Tocodomán,35478 La Aldea de San Nicolás Gran Canaria Island

Museums

Museo Vivo

The Museo Vivo, or Life Museum, allows you to spend the day living as the aboriginal people of La Aldea did. Learn how to shear animals, bake bread in a traditional stone oven, milk goats and make cheese. You will also be able to try everything you make and a number of other traditional foods. This activity is increasingly popular and you must pre book.

Telephone: +34 928 892 425 / +34 928 890 378

Beaches

Playa Güi-Güi

Renowned as the most beautiful beach on Gran Canaria , this beach is only accessible by a long hike along a mountain pass (or boat, if you happen to have one!). There is a campsite nearby, so staying the night is possible, and there is a small cafe. During religious holidays like Easter and Christmas this beach is very popular with the locals, but due to its remote location, most of the year it's the antithesis of the tourist-packed beaches elsewhere on the island

Festivals

Carnival, held in February, is as popular in this town as the rest of the islands. Children cover themselves in goatskins and boot polish and follow an adult who is dressed as a shepherd, whilst the other adults don masks and traditional dress.

The Virgin Carmen is a patron of the area and the local people are very loyal to her. On the 16^th of July the Fiesta del Carmen is held in her honor.

On the 31^st of August, the day before Fiesta del San Nicolás, the Bajada de la Rama is celebrated. This is a tradition that goes all the way back to the time of the Guanches. This is a fiesta to commemorate the journey that the aborigines would take from the mountains down to the sea to pray for rain during droughts.

The Fiesta of the patron Saint of the town, San Nicolás is held between the 1^st and the 15^th September. A procession makes its way through the main streets of La Aldea culminating in an offering to San Nicolás. During this time you can experience the very best in traditional cuisine and craftsmanship, as the locals are out to have a good time and impress.

The 11^th of September brings the most extraordinary fiesta in La Aldea, Fiesta del Charco. This fiesta attracts people from nearby towns as well as all the locals who gather around the natural pools of water on the beach. Everyone waits in suspense for the signal, a single firework. When the signal comes everyone races in to the shallow pool in competition to catch the biggest fish! This fiesta is in celebration of the art of ‘embarbascar’- a type of ancient fishing.

Local Food

The traditional food of the area is delicious and always fresh, with nearly all of the ingredients from local produce. There are a few speciality dishes of the town such as Ropa Vieja de Pulpo, made with chickpeas and octopus; boiled eel served with mojo sauce; and Caldo de Pescado (fish soup.

If you can manage something sweet afterwards, try a fruitcake or some mantecados, a traditional dessert made from lard. If you aren’t up for something sweet then maybe the local award-winning cheeses will whet your appetite.

Shopping

In recent times, a number of creative disciplines have become popular in the area including painting, sculpting, photography, writing, music and pottery. You can find a lot of basket and palm weaved goods that are made on the agricultural centres in the area. The best place to see and purchase these local goods is Aula Etnográfica, which is where many artists gather to work, or the Town Market, held every Sunday morning until 2pm in the afternoon