The Canarian island of Tenerife is much more than a sun, sea and sand holiday destination (although it has these in abundance too!). It is also home some fabulous architecture which is a reflection of the island’s intriguing history. Most notably, the ornate and striking churches are a highlight which any cultured traveller will enjoy discovering. The majority of locals are Roman Catholic; religion ia an important part of island life which is evident in the colourful festivals and special days held throughout the year.
Here are a few of the must-visit churches in Tenerife.
EspÃritu Santo (Los Gigantes)
A modern church that was officially opened by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Tenerife in 1997, this pretty place of worship is located in the Plaza Bourgainvillea in the Municipality of Santiago Del Teide. It features gorgeous stained glass windows and three-dimensional re-presentations of the Stations of the Cross inset into the walls, along with an eye-catching painting behind the altar of the Disciples.
San Eugenio (Playa de Las Americas)
It is impossible to miss San Eugenio in Peublo Canario as it is a deep shade of red, contrast-ing heavily with the tropical setting. This is a particularly interesting church as it is an ecu-menical worship centre shared by Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Anglicans. As the first church to be built in the south, it is also one of the more established religious sites on the island.
Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Los Realejos)
On the opposite side of the island in the San AgustÃn district in Los Realejos, you will find this important Marian shrine which is built on the site of the old Augustine convent of Saint Andrew and Saint Monica after a devastating fire in 1952. The striking new building was in-augurated in 1965; it contains a number of intriguing artworks, such as the sculpture of the Divine Infant and sculptor Anton Maria Maragliano’s incredible Lady of Mount Carmel image. In 2008, the church, the square and the estate were declared a Cultural Heritage Site – it is easy to see why.
How to Get There
There are regular flights from London to airports in both the north and south of the island so it is a matter of choosing the airport closer to your accommodation and using Tenerife trans-fers from the airport to your hotel. Flights take a little over 4 hours from London. Be sure to pre-book Tenerife transfers to you hotel as it can be a long wait to get a cab, particularly if you are travelling in peak season.
Religion is an important part of the cultural identity here and these are just a few of the reli-gious highlights to discover during your trip. It is a wonderful and very welcoming part of the world to visit and one which can be easy to reach with a quick flight and pre-booked Tenerife transfers to your chosen accommodation. You can then start to explore the area and see the importance of religion to the friendly locals.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Tenerife transfers Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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