LOCAL INTEREST
June 24th - June 30th 2011
Adeje Dear readers, We continue our journey across the municipalities of Tenerife. This week it is time for Adeje, the land of ancient kings and modern tourist resorts. A place to enjoy the night life or the tranquillity of its mountains; Adeje has it all! Adeje is a municipality located in the
South West of Tenerife and it occupies the fourth place in terms of population, 43,801 people up to January 2010, but it increases considerably during high tourist season periods. The main economic activity is tourism, particularly in the area known as Costa Adeje, where development and progress in this activity has been made in recent years. HISTORY The Municipality was originally called “Adex” in Guanche Language (meaning watering trough). One hundred years before the Island was conquered, Adeje was home to The Menceyato of Adeje (Kingdom of Adeje) and the court of The Mencey Sunta (King Sunta) and his son Tinerfe The Great. The whole unified island was governed from here until Tinerfe’s sons divided the island in nine Menceyatos (kingdoms). So we can say that Adeje was the origin and principal settlement of the Guanche culture and the source of the Menceyes (Aboriginal kings).
The town is also well known for the famous play of the passion of the Christ during Easter, which is represented every year during the festivities. GEOGRAPHY Adeje’s terrain consists mainly of a gentle slope cut by barrancos (gorges) and a steep slope and cliffs where it meets the coast; there are also several sandy beaches that have been conditioned for tourism. From the geology of Adeje we have to highlight the abrupt area of Caldera del Rey and Barranco del Infierno, which contains a permanent small stream of water. The town centre has experienced tremendous growth since the 90’s. Other villages in the municipality are Ifonche, Taucho, Armeñime, Tijoco, La Hoya Grande, Fañabé, Iboybo, and major tourist resorts such as Playa de Las Américas, Playa Paraíso and Callao Salvaje. PLACES TO VISIT One of the main attractions is the tourist centre denominated Costa Adeje, which has evolved significantly in the last few years thanks to its proximity to Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos. Barranco del Infierno is one of the best known places on the
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islands and it is visited by locals and tourist alike throughout the year. We can also find Roque del Conce here. The church and convent of Santa Úrsula contains numerous examples of sacred art, like the image of the Guatemalan school of the Guadalupe Virgin, which is kept in the Church of Adeje town and was sculpted in the 1700’s. It is a magnificent effigy of 145cm, made of painted wood. Another important image is Adeje’s Candelaria Virgin also kept in Santa Úrsula Church. The Casa Fuerte (Fortified House), now in ruins, is present in the town’s crest and it is part of the municipality and the island’s history. The fort was built by the Ponte Family, using Guanches and slaves as labourers, in the 16th century to prevent raids by pirates; however, they were visited by pirate John Hawkins, who maintained a business relationship with the family. The Ponte family not only owned the Fort, but also the Marquis, which is now a Historical Artistic Monument.
Festivals
• October 12 : Festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Encarnación • January 20 : San Sebastian. After a mass at the Church of San Sebastian, There is a blessing ceremony at the beach, where animals are washed in sea water. • Easter : Specifically on Easter Friday at 12 noon, It is held in this municipality The Via Crucis (or representation of the Passion of Jesus ), The most important in the Canary Islands. The Canarian and other TV stations broadcast this event to all the Canary Islands each year. Over 300 people from the municipality, including amateurs and actors are involved in the different scenes of the last moments of Jesus Christ’s life. The scenarios are distributed on Calle Grande de Adeje, from the Church of St. Ursula to the Plaza del Llano de la Cruz, where the crucifixion takes place. • Third Sunday of Easter : Rogation of the Virgen de la Encarnacion to San Sebastian. Pilgrims walk from the church of St. Ursula to the Church of San Sebastian near the sea. • Every 5 years since 2005 : Visit of Our Lady of the Incarnation to the neighbourhoods of the municipality. • Handcraft Fair: This is usually done over a weekend in May or June . The date varies each year.
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