Route Los Realejos

On this route you enter the heart of the northern municipality of Los Realejos, situated in the Orotava Valley, in a unique location and which features leafy, varied vegetation and more than five centuries of history. The roots of Los Realejos go back to pre-hispanic times, when these lands belonged to the aboriginal kingdom of Taoro. According to the tradition, this was the scene of great historical events; this is where the guanches surrendered to the Castilian conquerors and is thus the place where the Island became part of the Realm of Castille. Here the victors established one of the first settlements on the Island and in the area of Upper Realejo (Realejo Alto) they built the first religious shrine on Tenerife, the Church of Santiago Apóstol (the apostle James). Apparently this is where the guanche kings received the sacrament of baptism together with other aborigines in the year 1498. The village was devoted mainly to agriculture and, to a lesser extent, to cattle farming. Reflecting this is the installation after the conquest of a sugar mill on Los Príncipes estate in Realejo Bajo (Lower Realejo), owned by one of the conquerors, Alonso Fernández de Lugo, and which is said to have stood in the so-called King’s Field, the name by which the fertile territories belonging to the Mencey (guanche king) Bencomo were known. You will discover small villages that retain all the essence of times past, such as Realejo Bajo, which has a well-preserved collection of beautiful, historical buildings which has earned it the status of a Site of Cultural Interest. On the route you will see different estates and religious buildings, reflecting earlier periods of splendour, a consequence of the economic power which grew as traders settled and different religious orders became established. However, the development of the town itself and new town planning requirements have meant that much of this heritage has remained scattered among new buildings that have sprung up. As a result, Los Realejos does not have a well-defined and preserved historical centre, except for Realejo Bajo. Los Realejos is the birthplace of the famous writer, biologist and historian José de Viera y Clavijo. His birthplace can be found in Realejo Alto (Upper Realejo), on the street that bears his name, at No. 101. This is a two-story house which retains only the original facade as its interior has been completely altered according to the needs of its inhabitants. The municipality is also of great natural and scenic interest with many protected natural areas like Los Campeches, Tigaiga y Ruiz, the Rambla de Castro, the Natural Monument of Los Frailes Mountain and the Barranco de Ruiz (ravine), a Site of Scientific Interest, perfect for taking part in activities in nature, such as hiking. The many viewpoints provided also bring us closer to this reality, offering views of the Orotava Valley and allowing visitors to discover amazing panoramic views of the town, observing its urban growth with historic buildings and a green, rugged landscape with a steep coast consisting of cliffs and deep gorges that scar the territory from the mountains to the sea.