The Invención de la Cruz, local winegrowing and migratory birdwatching offer different perspectives on Cruz Santa. The tradition of creating crosses is particularly prominent: in La Cruz Santa, it takes a distinctive form and continues to the present day. Those interested in cultural history will find several different examples here; vineyards and the Balsa de La Cruz Santa are also among the topics to consider when planning a trip.

Cross Traditions, Church and Art

The Iglesia de la Santa Cruz was consecrated in 1766. Its single-nave structure has a prominent presbytery and a sacristy on the south side. An old wooden cross is also kept in the church. According to tradition, it was discovered by a horseman in the Barranco de la Raya. The devotional image of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes is also located there. The Cruz del Lomo chapel is noted for its size and architecture.

The cross theme is also reflected in works in public spaces. The monumental stone sculpture “Homenaje a la Cruz” stands in Plaza de La Punta. Another sculpture, “Homenaje a la Tradición Vitivinícola,” is located at the junction of Calle Real de La Cruz Santa and Calle Puldón. Cross motifs stand alongside a work whose title refers to the winegrowing tradition; the two works have different emphases.

Other works of art commemorate people and cultural themes from the region. The bust “Busto de José Mesa Cabrera” honours musician and composer José Mesa Cabrera, who devoted himself selflessly and tirelessly to the musical culture of northern Tenerife. The work “Homenaje a la tradición sociocultural” covers the entire façade of the Centro Cultural de la Cruz Santa. The chapel, bust, sculptures and façade-spanning work thus offer different ways to explore the cultural character of the place.

Winegrowing and the Paisajes Trenzados Route

La Cruz Santa is considered the true centre of the local wine sector. Its winegrowing tradition includes Cordón Múltiple Trenzado, a vine-training technique used in the region for centuries that gives local wines their distinctive character. Art and landscape also reflect this theme: the sculpture “Homenaje a la Tradición Vitivinícola” refers to it in its name, and the “Paisajes Trenzados” route passes vineyards where the Cordón Trenzado vine-training technique is used.

The route starts at Plaza de la Cruz Santa and also includes the Montaña de Los Frailes Natural Monument. Its description thus brings together vineyards and a named natural monument. For your planning, this is a specific way to take both nature and winegrowing into account when choosing activities, without needing to turn them into a fixed daily itinerary.

Balsa de La Cruz Santa and Migratory Birds

The Balsa de La Cruz Santa lies between the settlements of La Zamora and La Cruz Santa. It is one of Tenerife’s largest irrigation reservoirs and is used for observing migratory birds. More than thirty migratory bird species have been recorded there. The reservoir thus combines a distinctive landscape and infrastructure feature with a specific nature-related interest. It offers a different focus from the church, cross traditions and works in public spaces.

Practical directions are also provided: the Balsa can be reached via several roads that converge at the roundabout by Parque del Lagar in La Cruz Santa. There is a small car park there. If you would like to include nature observation in your travel plans, you have a named access point and can also distinguish birdwatching from the cultural and historical themes of the place.

Discover more destinations: Palo Blanco, Llanadas, Tigaiga, Icod El Alto, Brezal.

Return to the main travel guide: Los Realejos.