The mountain village of Teror is Gran Canaria's most celebrated and typical `pueblo´. It nestles at a high altitude amongst statuesque pine forrests in one of the island's most verdant areas. Its maze of winding, cobbled streets are a fascinating place to explore and to enjoy discovering, original Canarian arquitecture at its best.
The Cooler Northern Climate
The climate in the north area of Gran Canaria difers greatly to the customary, constant sunshine in the southerly resorts. During the cooler winter months, the villages tucked high up amongst the mountain pine forrests can be shrouded in obscuring mists or low cloud and it rains frequently. Have a jacket or sweaters to hand when visiting the mountainous regions as the nip in the thinner air can be quite surprising.
Wooden Balconies on the Houses
Many of the old houses in Teror are decorated with excellent examples of the Canarian wooden balconies that are unseen in the south of the island. The balconies, made from pine wood cut from the trees in the nearby forrests, have ornate carved decorations and are made by highly skilled local craftsmen .
The Sunday Market
Teror on Sundays is a buzzing hive of activity. The popular, local market is visited by Canarians and holidaymakers alike. The stalls that spread out around the church and down the sloping main street offer many different types of locally produced products.The hand-baked bread of Teror and in particular, the village's own special type of `chorizo´ - a soft, spreadable and very garlicy sausage are two of the favourites.
A Quick Snack-Canarian Style
The small bars and restaurants are always overly busy on Sundays, so try a ready made roll from one of the stalls. The soft bread; spread with the bright red sausage and topped off with a slice of the local goats cheese, is cheap and cheerful and can be eaten as you wander around the great variety of stalls and certainly beats hours spent queueing.
The Basilica of Teror
This majestic church, the central feature of the village, was reconstructed in the 18th century after the original structure was destroyed. The lastest building incorporates the remains of the 15th century tower. The church is home to the statue of the Virgen del Pino, or Virgin of the Pines, who was reputed to have appeared before the first bishop on the island from amongst the branches of a huge pine tree in the village.
The Virgen del Pino, is the patron saint of Gran Canaria, and a celebration is held on the 8th of September every year in her honour. During the national holiday, the statue is carried through the streets of Teror on a huge, silver litter with great ceremony and aplomb.
Liz Correal - British born, but living in the sun-drenched Canary Islands for more than two decades, LizX is having her Hawaii year. No, she's not ...
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