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La Laguna, Tenerife
By Admin | November 20, 2007
La Laguna — official name San Cristobal de La Laguna — is the islands university city and the only bishop’s see in the Canary Islands.
Constituted in 1496 this city (since 1510) is the spiritual and political centre of the island of Tenerife.
No wonder, that Pope Clement XI. in 1701 chose La Laguna to found the first university in the canaries.
Even though La Laguna lost its capital status to Santa Cruz 20 years later, the city still today is the cultural and religious center of the island and hosts — since 1818 — the Bishop’s seat.
In 1999, the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and lovers of historic buildings will fully enjoy a trip to La Laguna.
Throughout the city there are palaces, monuments and traditional houses in the architectural style from the 17th and 18th Century.
In January 2006 the former home of the Counts of Salzar — seat of the diocese Tenerife — was destroyed in a devastating fire. The building from the year 1664 was one of the most important architectural treasures, and had the most beautiful baroque facade of the Canary Islands.
Although the front will be rebuilt within the next 3 years — unrecoverable are art treasures, portraits of all the bishops of Tenerife and the extensive library were totally destroyed.
Nevertheless, La Laguna is always worth a visit to explore the present and the historical past of this important city
Topics: Cities |