Places of interest in Spain - GARACHICO
The harbor town Garachico is situated on Tenerife"s northwest coast and is near Puerto de la Cruz. Once upon a time this was the capital of Tenerife. This town has a number of small cottages as well as large townhouses. In the 16th century this was considered as an important Tenerife port.The land in this town is fertile but it was affected by various calamities such as Bubonic plague, storms, floods, fires, locusts, volcanic eruptions, etc. The volcanic landslides occurred in 1645. The worst period in the history of this town was in the year 1706 when lava erupted and flew to the harbor, thereby making the harbor unsuitable for shipping. This completely destroyed the wealth source of this town.
History
This town was founded in the year 1496 by three Genovese bankers. Its prosperity grew because of sugar plantations, Icod wine and the cove in the harbor.
San Pedro Church was the oldest church that was in existence prior to 1500. Santa Ana church construction began in the year 1530.
Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows:
Maximum тЂ“ 22 Т°C in the month of August
Minimum тЂ“ 10 Т°C in January
Art and Culture
The following places are of historical value:
1.Ponte Family House тЂ“ converted as San Roque Hotel
2.San Miguel тЂ“ fortress and Convent
3.House of the Marquees of the Quinta Roja
4.La Gomera Palace House
5.Concepciones Franciscanas Convent
6.Our Lady of the Kings Temple
7.San Juan del Reparo Temple
8.San Roque Temple
9.Plaza de Armas
10.Matrix Church of Santa Ana
11.Puerta de Tierra Park
Cuisine
Fried crispy baby squid (chopitos) and mussels are delicacies of this place.
Sports and Entertainment
Tourists will enjoy this town if they visit during the festival of San Roque that is celebrated during a popular pilgrimage in August. They will enjoy the oxen pulling the carts with locals going on the streets in a parade. Free wine and food is given to all.
Beaches
1.San Roque beach тЂ“ is un-spoilt and located near the San Roque church; the sand here is black volcanic and waves are moderate.
2.Las Aguas beach тЂ“ has waves of moderate size. The beach is protected by the terraces on the slope that are meant for the crops.
3.El Muelle Beach тЂ“ has calm waters and is protected by a breakwater and a wharf. A picnic area exists in the Carmen Park. Red Cross supervises this beach.
Business
The economy of this town depends mainly on tourism. Agriculture тЂ“ banana cultivation in particular тЂ“ employs a large workforce. Fishing is also practiced by many.