Almost the entire municipality of Artenara lies within Tamadaba Natural Park. Archaeological cave sites, chapels carved into the rock and historic buildings give the destination a distinctive cultural character. These places tell different stories: from prehistoric caves and rock art to church architecture and traditional crafts.
Caves, Engravings and Rock Architecture
Risco CaĂdo is an archaeological cave site from the troglodyte period, with 21 caves and rock art associated with magical-religious beliefs and fertility cults. In one of the caves, light enters through a small opening in the ceiling from the summer solstice until the autumn equinox. The beam illuminates the rock engravings on the walls, connecting a seasonal phenomenon with cave art.
Another group of caves is Cuevas del Caballero: twelve natural caves lie along a south-facing rock ledge, most of which were made habitable through human intervention. They offer views of Bentayga and the Nublo basin. Rock art in various forms can be seen in three of the caves. The group is associated with sites that held great magical and religious significance for the ancient Canarians.
The Capilla de la Virgen de la Cuevita is also carved into the rock. It lies about 500 metres from the town centre and was enlarged into the rock in the last third of the 19th century. The altar, choir, pulpit and confessional were also carved out of the rock. The feast of the Virgen de la Cuevita takes place in the second half of August. On the last Sunday of the month, the image of the Virgin is carried in a procession from the Iglesia de San MatĂas back to the chapel. The specific programme may vary, so check the dates before you travel.
Churches, Viewpoints and Local History
The present-day Iglesia de San MatĂas was built in 1870, preceded by an earlier chapel dating from 1630. The two square towers made of red Tirma stone were completed in the mid-20th century. Other architectural features include a three-nave floor plan and an ornate coffered ceiling made of Canary Island pine in the Neo-MudĂ©jar style. The building’s history and furnishings reveal different layers of local church architecture.
The Balcón de Unamuno was built in 1999 to mark the opening of the Ruta de Unamuno in Gran Canaria. It commemorates Miguel de Unamuno’s stay on the island in 1910. A sculpture by Manolo González depicts Unamuno thoughtfully contemplating the landscape. Another striking sculpture crowns the Monumento del Corazón de Jesús: it is eight and a half metres high and was installed in 1996. The monument is reached via a flight of steps to the right of the entrance to the Mirador de La Cilla.
Crafts and Life in Cave Homes
The Museo Etnográfico de las „Casas Cuevas“ de Artenara includes three former dwellings. They were probably inhabited by the pre-Hispanic population of this place. The furnishings inside are typical of the area and their respective periods, and date from approximately 50 to 150 years ago. Guided tours are available for groups; contacting the museum in advance is recommended.
Another cultural connection leads to Lugarejos, where pottery is made by hand without a potter’s wheel. The unfired clay pieces are fired outdoors, not in a Roman kiln. The Centro Locero de Lugarejos was founded in 1994 to revive the pottery tradition after an interruption of almost 30 years. Mari León continues this tradition today.
Landscape and Getting Around
The Parralillo Reservoir in the Barranco Grande area is of interest to birdwatchers. Birds found there include little egrets, grey herons, coots, little ringed plovers, sandpipers and yellow-legged gulls. The Mesa de Acusa resembles an ancient volcano in its structure: its layers rose to considerable heights and were eroded over time. It is considered a landscape where prehistory, history and biological diversity come together.
There are also specific starting points for finding the places mentioned. The Ruta de Acusa Seca begins at Plaza de Artenara; the unpaved route to Acusa Seca starts near the cemetery. To visit the Monumento del CorazĂłn de JesĂşs, take the flight of steps to the right of the entrance to the Mirador de La Cilla. Archaeological sites, building history, crafts and scenery thus offer distinct points of interest for planning a trip.
Discover more destinations: Gáldar, Cazadores, Trasmontaña, Carrizal, El Estanco, Casas Nuevas, Santa BrĂgida, Valsequillo
For the wider travel overview: Gran Canaria.
