Tazacorte

Overview

The quiet seaside town of Tazacorte is situated on the western coast of La Palma. The town runs along the coast from the mouth of the Barranco de Las Angustias ravine, to Las Hoyas. With a glorious 700 metre long beach, painted with black sand, and a population of a mere 6,600 residents,  Tazacorte is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.  The area is split into 2 regions. Tazacorte, the main area of the town, is awash with gorgeous flowers and an abundance of banana plantations also boasts a handful of shops, several supermarkets, banks, a post office and a town hall. Puerto Tazacorte on the other hand, is a striking lower coastal area which, along with the raven beach, has a fishing harbour and a promenade. It also has various cafes, rustic restaurants and bars to keep you entertained in the evening.

History

The area formerly belonged to Los Llanos de Aridane, which is a 10 minute walk away, but was given its independence in 1925.

The large beach at the port was the place chosen by the Spanish to begin the conquest of La Palma in 1492. The conquest was led by Alonso Fernández de Lugo who went on to build the island’s first church; the breath-taking San Miguel Arcángel. The name, relates to de Lugo’s dedication to Saint Michael Archangel, who is now the patron saint of the island. After being refurbished in 1992, it is now an even more striking spiritual monument.

The church is also home to the relics from one of the town’s most sad and historic folktales. In 1570, a group of Jesuit missionaries set sail from Lisbon to Brazil to spread faith. They stopped off in the port of Tazacorte, supposedly to collect sugar. The missionaries were invited to say mass in the San Miguel chapel. Allegedly, while doing mass, one of them had a revelation of the martyrdom that he and his crew were going to suffer; the emotional impact of the epiphany caused his teeth to break the silver chalice from which he was drinking. The chalice in question is still conserved in the chapel today. On July 13^th of the same year they set sail for Santa Cruz de La Palma, but failing winds left them stranded off the coast for two days, and were confronted by five French Huguenot ships. The missionaries were tortured and brutally murdered; their corpses were thrown overboard into the sea. In their memory, 40 crosses now rest at the bottom of the ocean where the sad event of the martyrs of Tazacorte took place.

Culture

The people of Tazacorte, who refer to themselves as ‘bagañetes’, are liberal, open-minded and easy going. Due to the small population (it’s a third of the size of Los Llamos), there is a real sense of community and its residents are very welcoming.

Economy

The area of Tazacorte is often referred to as ‘Paris chiquito’ (little Paris) because of the socio economic boom enjoyed in recent years, thanks to a boost in the levels of agricultural production. Tazacorte is one of the chief banana growing districts in La Palma, something the island is renowned for. Banana plantations take up 85% of Tazacorte’s land area. With its claims of being the warmest region of La Palma, it has the perfect conditions for it. Tazacorte’s port is also a large contributor to the local economy, with plenty of fishermen plying their trade here. Choosing to fish at night, to avoid high waves and coarse seas, they bring culinary delights such as conger eels, parrot fish, dogfish, to name but a few.

How To Get There

By Bus:
The Transporte La Palma L2 circular bus will take you from Santa Cruz de la Palma to Tazacorte, which runs hourly at quarter past, between 06:15 and 19:15 or, if you’re coming from Los Llanos de Aridane, you can catch the Tansporte La Palma Bus L21 which runs every half an hour. Transporte La Palma Bus L2 also departs for Tazacorte every hour at quarter past between 06:15 and 21:15.

Transporte La Palma Bus L21 from Los Llanos de Aridane takes you to Puerto de Tazacorte every 15 minutes, between 06:15 and 23:45.

For more information consult http://www.transporteslapalma.com/transportes/index.htm

By Car:
If you’re travelling from the South (possibly Fuencaliente de La Palma) take the LP-1 and the LP-2 making sure you turn left when approaching Los Campitos, this should take around half an hour. However, if you’re travelling from the capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, take the LP-2 and the LP-3; this should take about 45 minutes.

Sights

San Miguel Arcángel Church

This was, historically, the first Church built in La Palma; after Spain conquered the island in 1492. The conquest, led by Alonso Fernández de Lugo, constructed the church on the grounds where the first chapel was built. Its name derives from Saint Michael Archangel, who is represented in a military uniform, or the coat of arms, and grasping on a sword. In the New Testament is stated to be, “the heavenly leader in the fight against enemies of god”. Due to Alonso Fernández de Lugo’s dedication to Saint Michael Archangel, he has become the patron saint of the island and is also tought to protect, not only the church, but, Tazacorte and the whole of La Palma.

The church is home to the relics of one of the island’s saddest/ most legendary tales, in the form of the Jesuit martyrs, and also exhibits an interesting art collection.It was expanded and refurbished in 1992 and now houses an awe-inspiring abstract stained glass window. Beside the church you'll see an outstanding pergola lined with ceramic tiles and wild with bougainvillea flowers. This historic church is the social hub of Tazacorte, and has acted as a meeting place for the residents for many years.

Address: Parroquia de San Miguel, Plaza Spain, S/N, 38770, Tazacorte, La Palma Island
Telephone: (+34) 922 48 08 51
Admission: Free

Casa Massieu Van Dalle Monteverde y Ponte (Manor House)

Casa Massieu Van Dalle Monteverde y Ponte (The Massieu Van Dalle Monteverde y Ponte manor house)

Nicolás Massieu van Dalle and his wife Ángela de Monteverde y Ponte, married in 1666, had this jaw-dropping house built. This rectangular house has many highlights, but, undoubtedly its pièce de résistance, is its gate, carved entirely from wood. Other features of the house include, in the centre of the lintel, a beautiful family coat of arms, which is made entirely from marble including the arms of Massieu, Van Dalle, Monteverde and Ponte. It has recently been restored and is now owned by Hon. Cabildo Insular de la Palma and it is managed by the Town Hall of Tazacorte. Its main purpose nowadays is playing host to different cultural activities.

Los Lavaderos (The washbasins)

The washbasins in Tazacorte are dripping with historical significance. Every 15 days (known locally as dula), more than 50 women would meet at Los Lavaderos, swap secrets, put the world to rights and wash their dirty linen. Thousands of different stories will have been heard and told by the local women and this adds to the subtle beauty of this historic corner since being restored to its original state in 1997. The washing water came from a place called Dos Aguas (‘two waters’) and used to provide irrigation for the whole of Tazacorte. The water started off irrigating the banana plantations in the hills, then trickled down to Plaza de la Vica, the former location of the washbasins, the water was then canalised to make two mills, one bringing the water to the cane sugar factory, fuelling their production, and the other to downtown Tazacorte, where the locals washed their clothes. Due to the enormous amount of water supplied from two waters, when locals finished this ancient practise, the water was, and still is, used to irrigate the banana plantations on the coast.

Address: El Charco, 38700, Tazacorte, La Palma Island

Centro de Información Turística (tourist information centre)

For information of sights and activities that are available in Tazacorte, it is best to visit the tourist information centre. It is situated directly behind the San Miguel Church.

Address:  Isidro Guadalupe, 2 El Charco, 38700, Tazacorte, La Palma Island
Telephone: (+34) 922 48 01 51
Winter opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 – 13; Saturdays, 15:30 - 19:30.
Summer opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10 – 13:30 / 16 – 18
Email: turismo@tazacorte.es

Activities

Walking

Due to the breath-taking scenery and the volcanic formation of La Palma, and all of the Canary Islands, Tazacorte is the perfect place for walkers. A stroll around the town is also arguably the best way to enjoy, and take in, its natural beauty.

If you want evidence of the vast production of bananas in Tazacorte, it is recommended that you take a stroll along the Camino Modesta – Mirador de las Bajas, even though it translates to ‘Mirador of Casualties’- do not let that put you off; it’s perfectly safe! The trail, beginning at the Lomo Blanco Street, takes you along a trail which on one side shows off the gleaming Pacific Ocean, which wraps itself round the coastline, and on the other, hundreds upon hundreds of green and glorious banana trees. The gravel path takes you into the neighbourhood of San Borondón, before reaching a crossing. Turn right here and visit  the Mirardor de la Low and the Paseo del Litoral for an experience of the rural and agricultural community in Tazacorte.

Where: Calle San Antonio, 38770, Tazacorte, La Palma Island

Another popular walk is the mirador de Time. Starting at the observation point The Mirador del Time (locally known as El Time), 500 metres above Tazacorte beach, you descend down to Puerto Tazacorte, and travel by boat along the coast. Here you can admire the black sand as you walk along the 700m Puerto Tazacortes beach. 

Due to Puerto Tazacorte’s ancient fishing business, many of the area’s restaurants specialise in local fish. But if you’re not a fan of seafood, the area has a wide variety of other delights to sample.

Laid back, small town that Tazacorte is, there isn’t much in way of nightlife; like most of La Palma. A good night out would consist of the sampling the local cuisine at one of the local restaurants. However, if you still want to go for a drink, there are a couple of bars in Tazacorte.