Santa Brígida

Overview

Situated around 10km from Vega de San Mateo, en route to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you come across the small town of Santa Brígida. Upon first impressions it may seem rather colourless, but venturing a little further into its historic centre, you will be greeted by network of narrow, tree-lined streets and a quaint park. Elevated 500m above sea level, the town also has some sweeping views of the region’s rolling countryside and mountains, best absorbed from the vantage point of its parish church.

However, the municipality’s star attraction is the Caldera de Bandama— the largest of the island’s active volcanoes in the modern era. The adjacent cliffs and crags are also home to a number of aboriginal dwellings.

History

Due to its abundance of surrounding freshwater resources, Santa Brígida was one of the first towns on the island to be colonised in the wake of the Castilian conquest. In the subsequent years, conquistadors utilised the area’s fertile plains for sugar cane production, a particularly lucrative activity during the 15th and 16th centuries.

By the end of the 17th century, Santa Brígida was the island’s most populous town after Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Telde, with over 2000 inhabitants. The town’s demographic ranged from wealthy landowners that lived in stately villas, to peasants that tended the surrounding land.

At the turn of the 20th century, the area was popular with wealthy British tourists who believed that its fresh air had salubrious benefits. Further transformation followed coinciding with the island’s development of mass tourism in the 1960s which saw agriculture gradually give way to the tertiary industries found in the region today.

Culture

Santa Brígida is famed for its traditional artisanship, particularly pottery. A visit to the municipality’s La Atalaya area is recommended if looking to pick up a clay pot or bowl as a souvenir.

Economy

Whilst agriculture exists within the municipality, it now plays second fiddle to more profitable tertiary sectors such as construction and tourism. However, wine production continues to thrive within the area.

How to get there

By Bus:
From Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Global bus 303 leaves every 30 minutes (06:00- 22:30) for Vega de San Mateo, stopping at Santa Brígida en route.

If seeking the Caldera de Bandama, it’s best to take the Global bus number 311 from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (16 per day from 05:55- 20:55), which stops in the village of La Atalaya— a stone’s throw away from the crater.

Santa Brígida is also connected to Tejeda by the Global bus 305 service, although there are only three buses a day from Tejeda (06:10, 13:00 and 15:00).

By Car:
Santa Brígida is accessed by the picturesque and snaking GC-15 route which runs from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.


Sights

Iglesia de Santa Brígida (church)

Found in the old town centre, the church stands on the site of Santa Brígida’s original chapel built in 1525. Due to a burgeoning population, it was replaced by a larger church in 1697 which was destroyed in a fire at the turn of the century. The second church was rebuilt in 1904.

Today, it stands as fine example of Neo-Gothic architecture, including a triple-nave layout and vaulted ceilings. It also houses an archive of documents and books dating back to its original 16th century incarnation.

Where: Plaza León y Castillo, 1, 35300 Santa Brígida, Gran Canaria island.
Telephone: (+34) 928 640 638

Caldera de Bandama (volcanic crater)

Named after the Dutch colonial merchant Daniel Van Dame, this stunning volcanic crater stands majestically amidst the neighbouring fields and vineyards. 1km in diameter and with a peak of 569 metres, the crater is home to various types of floras such as palms, orange trees, eucalyptus, shrubs and bushes.

Its peak, Pico de Bandama, can be easily climbed, taking roughly 30 minutes. Upon reaching its summit, you will be rewarded by glorious views of both the north and east coast, whilst, on a clear day, the outline of neighbouring Fuerteventura can be discerned.

Where: From Santa Brígida, take the GC-15 heading for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; then take the turn-off for the Caldera after approximately 4km. 

La Cueva de los Canarios (cave)

Found in the northern wall of the crater, the cave was originally used by the island’s first inhabitants as a granary. Its walls are embossed with Lybic-Berber inscriptions discovered in the 19th century. The site is something of an archaeological paradise due to its wealth of aboriginal remains such as pottery. Close by are Las Meleguinas, a formation of caves housing further archaeological evidence of the area’s erstwhile inhabitants and was recently declared a Cultural Heritage Site. 

La Cueva de los Frailes (cave)

Situated close to La Calzada bridge, this cave, etched into the La Caldereta volcano, is another example of troglodytic significance. Discovered in 1933, inside it encompasses 37 natural caves.

El Tejar archaeological site

This archaeological site is located a stone’s throw away from Valle of Angostura. Originally an aboriginal house/burial mound, remains of its original dry stone walls are still visible whilst a number of pots, pans and mysterious painted signs have been excavated in recent years.

Valle de la Angostura and El Tejar archaeological site

Declared a Cultural Heritage Site by the respective powers that be, this valley also offers a wealth of aboriginal remains, including a series of catacombs dug into its multitudinous rocks, cliffs and crags. El Tejar is one of the archaeological highlights, originally an aboriginal house/burial mound, the remains of its original dry stone walls are still visible whilst a number of pots, pans and mysterious painted signs have been excavated in recent years.


Museums

Casa del Vino, El Galeón (Wine house museum)

A sommelier’s paradise, this recent addition to the town has an exhibition hall elucidating the island's history of wine production. More importantly, its depository allows visitors the chance to sample a range of local wines and cheeses.

Where: Calle Calvo Sotelo 26, 35300 Santa Brígida, Gran Canaria island.
Telephone: (+34) 928 644 272/ 928 644 245
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 Tuesday-Friday; 10:00-15:00 weekends and holidays. Closed on Mondays.


Restaurants

Aside from the typical Canarian fare predominantly found inland, the local menu in Santa Brígida also contains grilled meat, various broths and vegetable stews.

Bodegón Vandama

Situated on the outskirts of town, the Caldera de Bandama in clear view, this gorgeous stone-walled restaurant is the pick of the bunch within the municipality. Specialising in grilled meats, including 200g sirloin steaks, make sure you have an appetite before visiting. The restaurant also serves local wines such as Monte Lentiscal, a fruity red produced in the surrounding hillside vineyards.

Where: Carretera Bandama, 116, 35310 Santa Brígida, Gran Canaria island.
Telephone: (+34) 928 352 754

La Bodeguita del Monte

This pleasant restaurant offers a decent variety of food including grilled meats, stews, soups, salads and even fast food!

Where: Carretera General del Centro, 138, 35310 Santa Brígida, Gran Canaria island.
Telephone: (+34) 928 430 517