Puerto de la Cruz places of interest

Puerto de la Cruz is a quaint little rural town which because of its size, means you are able to walk around it I one or two days. The heart of Puerto de la Cruz is its plaza major, which is actually called Plaza del Charco . It has been the town plaza since the 18 th century and truly a relaxing place to sit or walk around. the plaza is line with Palm trees and Indian Laurels which provide shade from the sun as well as making it look absolutely gorgeous. If you are in the Plaza then you can find that many other enjoyable things to see and they are so close to hand as well.

To the west of the plaza there are 18 th century buildings showcasing traditional Spanish architecture. To the east, the Calle de Quintana runs from the plaza through the Plaza del Doctor Victor Perez through the Plaza de Iglesia and finally to La Punta del Viento . There is a street called the Calle Blanco which is to the south of the town plaza. This street is famous for its shops and stalls. This is where you will find many tourists who wish to shop. Adjacent to the Plaza de Victor Perez is the Iglesia de San Francisco . This is an remarkable building is one of the two oldest religious and civil buildings in the entire Puerto de la Cruz (the other being the Hermitage of La Paz). The Iglesia de San Francisco was built sometime between 1598 and 1608 and is a monument that is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. If you walk through the Plaza del Charco and then continue down Calle de Quintana you will find the Plaza de la Iglesia. The La Iglesia de Nuestra Seora de la Pea de Francia takes over the entire plaza. It was originally a quaint chapel which was built in 1603 however in 1697 it was converted to a church. The street Paseo de San Telmo got its name because and old used o exist on the site, now it is the towns promenade. Before the convent came to be, an old hermitage existed on the site which was handed over to the friars of the Order of Santo Domingo. The friars built the Dominican convent of San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo in 1659. Unfortunately, on the evening of December 19, 1778, a great fire destroyed the convent and a substantial part of the town, including the Franciscan convent in the Parque de San Francisco among other buildings. At the end of Paseo de San Telmo is the Ermita de San Telmo. This hermitage was founded in 1780 by the Mareantes Guild and was dedicated to San Pedro Gonzalez Telmo. A figurine of the saint, who also happens to be the patron saint of seamen, can be found inside the hermitage's chapel. The ruins of sentry house remain in the chapel square and below the ruined battlements the Plaza de Europa can be found. It is a beautiful tranquil square that it a must see when you are in Puerto de la Cruz The Castillo de San Felipe, also known as the Old Port Castle, is a 17 th century fort close to one of the town's beaches, Playa Jardin. It is one of the three fortifications that were constructed to protect the town from pirates and invaders. The castle has been converted to the Cultural Arts Centre, and it plays host to small concerts, recitals, and art exhibitions.