Santa María
de Guía

Municipality

Ayuntamiento de Santa María de Guía
Eusebia de Armas 4,  35450 Santa María de Guía
Tel. 928 89 65 55 - Fax. 928 88 22 31

Other localities in the Municipality

Barranco del Pinar; Barranquillo Frío; Bascamao; El Calabozo;
Casas de Aguilar; El Junquillo; Mondragones; Montaña Alta;
El Palmital; Paso María de los Santos; San Felipe; San Juan;
Tres Palmas; Verdejo; Vergara.

Municipality Information

Area: 37,72 km²
Population: 14.086
Height of the City: 180 MSL.
Highest point: 1.500 MSL.
Coastal length: 10,16 km.
Distance to Las Palmas: 22 km.

Tourist Information

Oficina de Información Turística
Perez Galdós 24,  35450 Santa María de Guía
Tel. 928 89 50 77
Fax. 928 88 22 31 / 928 55 16 70

Sightseeing

Map Santa María de Guía

Map over the Municipality of Santa María de Guía

Parada de Taxi
Tel. 928 88 28 46

See different routes:  Salcai/Utinsa Global.

Look under Worth Knowing - Pharmacy

Correos y Telégrafos
Plaza De Luján Pérez
Tel. 928 88 21 84

Biblioteca Pública Municipal de
Santa María de Guía Real 47,  35450 Santa María de Guía
Tel. 928 89 54 77 - Fax. 928 88 22 31


Open Monday - Friday
08.00 - 14.00 and 16.00 - 20.00

Digital Library

Cenobio de Valerón is a large basaltic arch, covering volcanic tuff. Into this rather soft material, the Guanche excavated about 300 caves, cavities and cubicles.

These cave are fascinating. To this day, nobody really knows why they are here... The Monastery of Caves are located on the north coast of Gran Canaria. They date back to the Stone Age and are widely recognised as the most important and impressive pieces of architecture on the island.

In total there are 298 caves here. It's considered a very holy place. But the question remains... who were the original inhabitants and why were they there?

Many people believe that it was a monastery or "cenebio" where young girls went in preparation of marriage, in order to practice spiritual exercises and perform various rituals. Others say the caves were just used as granaries. Whatever they were used for, they certainly are very impressive to look at!

This place is an agadir (a collective-fortificated granary) similar to the agadirs in North Africa. The ancient people stored their agricultural surplus here. The Faican, a religious, political and economic chief distributed it between the community.

The cavities were used as silos, closed with a wooden plank and marked with a seal called pintadera that indicated the owner.

The visitors reach this place in a few minutes from the well developed coastal highway. A small road winds along a steep valley and runs right below the cenobio. The small parking is only suitable for half a dozen cars, but it seems the typical Gran Canaria tourist is not interested to visit this place, and the this small parking is absolutely sufficient.

From the car the road is crossed to fence with a sort of ticket office at the fence. The guard tells you something about protection of the site and helps with some archaeological background info. But there is no fee and you are free to visit the whole site, as long as you stay on the paved paths.

This site, along with the Gáldar Painted Cave, is one of the most important relics of the heritage of Native Islanders prior to Spanish conquest.

To get to the caves, take the C-810 road to Las Palmas heading east of Guia until you get to Cuesta de Silva. Then just take the road up to the car park. You can walk up to the caves from here.

Teatro Municipal, Antiguo Hospicio de Santa Catalina de Siena
Canónigo Gordillo
Santa María de Guía
Tel. 382 88 20 04 / 928 88 21 50
Fax. 928 88 22 31

Santa Maria de Guía is located on the northern coastline. It was formerly part of Galdar.

This is where Lujan Perez grew up. He was the most famous architect and sculptor to come from the islands.

The busy, steep cobbled streets, pretty painted houses and the tree lined main square are just part of a visit to this lovely mountain town. Guía is one of those places where it is best to ignore vehicles, pushchairs, shops and people at usual height, but instead focus just above head height. There you will be amazed to see richly adornment balconies and terraces, carved ornamental wooden structures, highly decorative and impressive structures where it is clear that money was no barrier to obtaining quality workmanship. It is easy to lose yourself in a world full of colour and cheerfulness that will take you back to the former splendour of the municipality.

The story of Guía began when Don Sancho built a church in honour of Santa María de Guía (Saint Mary of Guía). Construction of the church was completed in 1509, and this marked the emergence of Guía as a new town. Inside the church you'll see some of Perez's most important works. In fact, it's more like a museum dedicated to the sculptor than a church.

The town is most famous for its flower cheese or "Queso de Flor". It's made from sheep and goats milk as well as thistle flowers. It's absolutely delicious. It has a surprisingly distinctive flavour and has won numerous awards. Every year they hold a cheese festival in honour of this unique speciality.

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