Sightseeing in Santa Cruz - what to see. Complete travel guide

Tenerife is the largest island of the Canary archipelago in terms of size. In the north-eastern part of the island is located its main town named Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Just like all small island towns, this town is not an industrial center, and so it focuses all efforts on the development of tourism infrastructure and agricultural activities.

Santa Cruz is located near the highest mountain in Spain – Teide. This is an extremely beautiful area with a rich diversity of fauna and landscapes. The beaches of the city are dotted with volcanic sand imported from Africa. You can explore the cultural life of Santa Cruz by visiting the local Museum of Fine Arts; Museum of Man and Nature exhibits a collection of items about the history of the indigenous people – Guang; finally, the local Almando Military Museum features the exhibition that tells the story of the Canary Islands. The most ancient landmarks of the city are Parque de Sanabria-Tarsi with the baroque church of San Francisco, an ancient church named Church de la Concepcion with an added bell tower, and Gummer Theater. Auditorium de Tenerife Concert Hall is considered the symbol of Santa Cruz. It was built in 2003.

Spagna square is a popular place for strolling around the city. It was founded in 1929. A fortress had been there before. It had been used to protect the island from pirates for hundreds of years. In the late 19th century, it was almost completely ruined. Nowadays, its remaining fragments are available for viewing. Under the square is an underground tunnel, where one can see the well-preserved walls of the fortress. Some symbolic monuments are established on the square. Nearby, are beautiful old buildings. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Fort of John the Baptist is of great interest from a historical point of view. Many tourists know it under the unofficial name Black Fortress. Its construction took place in the second half of the 17th century. The fortress is the best preserved defensive structure from among presented on the island of Tenerife. Its entire territory is now accessible for tours. July is the best time to visit this historic landmark. At this time, they stage an annual historical festival here with reconstructions of the legendary battles and other thematic events.

In the nearby town of Puerto de la Cruz, you can visit an excellent Archaeological Museum. Currently, its exposition includes more than 2600 pieces, among which are artifacts related to different periods of the development of the Guanches culture. Vintage jewelry, ceramics, and various cult artifacts have been discovered directly on the island of Tenerife. The museum occupies an old fisherman's house, built in the 19th century.

Walking San Lucas Street, you'll see the ancient Masonic temple, whose construction lasted three years and was fully completed in 1902. The temple is distinguished by attractive visual features and spectacular interior. Carved columns and numerous finest carved elements decorate its facade. For more than a hundred years, the main entrance to the temple is adorned with skillful carving.

One of the most romantic places in the city is a miniature Plaza Weyler, that is luxuriant with flowers and ornamental planting. In the center of this square is a beautiful Fountain of Love. This magnificent marble fountain with a sculptural composition has been created by the best masters in Genoa.