One of the secret gems of Gran Canaria is Guayadeque. This ancient settlement is just a moderate, forty five minutes drive away from the main hubbub of hotels and mass tourism.
Oldest Cave Settlement in the Canaries
This historical sight was originally home to the Guanche race of aborigines, who were the very first recorded inhabitants on Gran Canaria. The name Guayadeque, literally translated from the old native language, means a place of running water.The small stream that meanders along the base of this magnificent valley is the only constant source of running water to flow all year round, without interruption, on the island.
Guayadeque is a Protected Park Area
The entire valley of Guayadeque is now classed as a national monument and is a protected area. No building is allowed in it's steep sided ravine, ensuring that the island's favourite national treasure remains unchanged for the future generations.
This arid gorge on Gran Canaria's east coast, just a twenty minute drive inland from the airport, is recognised as being one of the most important archaeological sites in the Canary Islands. The majority of the relics exhibited in the islands main museums have been found amongst it's craggy rocks.
Conquering the Climb to the Caves
Carved high up in the towering cliff faces, are the multitude of naturally formed caves that gave shelter to the island's first settlers. Today their modern counterparts still continue the same basic lifestyle as their ancestors, only accompanied in their daily routines by the visiting curious.
To climb the steep, winding pathways that lead to the cave installations, it is necessary to be reasonably agile. The climb brings its rewards for the weary with the fantastic views and the oppurtunity of experiencing first hand, the simple domestic arrangements of the caves present day occupants.
Cool Cave Chapel
Situated at the base of the largest cave formation is a small chapel which has been carved completely from the stone. Even in the harshest of the summer temperatures, its shady interior remains cool and refreshing. This diminutive church has become a popular, and romantic setting for local weddings, though services are no longer held on a regular basis.
Tapas in the Cave Bar
In the dusky,cavernous interior of the cave bar next to the church, the atmosphere is heavy with the aroma of the cured hams that hang suspended from the ceiling. The slighty greasy smell, mingles with the pungent aroma of the spicy `mojo´ sauce that is being served as an accompaniment to the local dish of salted potatoes. Guayadeque has recently grown in notoriety for the simple, but excellent goats cheeses that are being made in the area, and the wine that is produced in the vineyards at the bottom of the valley. Both of which and much more, can be sampled at the shady tables of the cave bar.
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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