Description: Garachico is a lovely town on the north-west coast of Tenerife. If you approach it from Los Silos, look out for an unusual statue just before you enter the town. It is a man, carrying a suitcase and it looks as if he has dropped lots of papers. This is a memorial to Canarian emigrants, but is also a perfect place to get a wonderful view of Garachico. Some say, this is Tenerife's most picturesque town.
After taking photos near the statue, we drove into the town. There is parking just as you enter, at the small harbour. We set off and explored on foot.
Garachico is an interesting place. It was once the principle port of Tenerife and in the 16th century, it was an extremely wealthy place. It was here that the richest families made their homes, as well as writers, politicians and the religous orders. There is a legend which says, it was such a wealthy place that one street was made of marble. The poor were only allowed to walk down it on Fridays to beg for alms.
In 1601 bubonic plague arrived on a merchant ship from Spain and ravaged the town for 5 years. In 1645, a flood destroyed 80 houses and sank 14 ship in the harbour. In 1692 and 1697, fires destroyed much of the centre of the town. They overcame each of these disasters. In the early hours of 05 May 1706, Mount Teide erupted and sent 2 lava rivers sliding towards the town. Over the next 40 days the town was destroyed by lava. The people had no choice but to abandon their houses.
Garachico used the eruption to create a unique feature. The lava which destroyed the harbour is paved walkways and bridges around and along the natural rockpools of El Caleton. It is a lovely place. There seemed to be lots of locals here, as well as tourists, all sunbathing and swimming in these clear waters. If you looked carefully, you could also see lots of little fish.
We strolled around the rock pools, then crossed the road and took one of the narrow streets that led away from the sea. Most tourists did not seem to do this, but if you don't you miss the real charm of this place. Narrow, winding streets, a lovely plaza, town hall building and church. It is wonderful to lose yourself and just wander around here for half an hour.
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