Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, November 2023

Gran Canaria is the third-largest and second-most-populous island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago of seven main islands and lots of smaller ones located off the Atlantic coast of north-west Africa. The Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain. As of 2019 Gran Canaria had a population of 851,231 which comprised 40% of the population of the archipelago. The island has an area of 602 square miles (1,350 sq km).

Wednesday, 15th November 2023

View down into Bandama Caldera which is located in the Tafira Protected Landscape on the island of Gran Canaria. This volcanic crater is about 569 metres (1,867 ft) above sea level from the top of its rim, and is about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) wide and 200 metres (700 ft) deep. The crater was formed during large volcanic eruptions around 2,000 years ago. The bottom of the caldera contains volcanic ash of different colours as well as a variety of plant species, including a bush that is not found anywhere else, called Dama de Bandama. In the photo the interior of the crater is prominently green with grasses, bushes and dispersed mostly small trees. The crater's sides are very steep with areas of bare rock.
View down into Bandama Caldera which is located in the Tafira Protected Landscape on the island of Gran Canaria. This volcanic crater is about 569 metres (1,867 ft) above sea level from the top of its rim, and is about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) wide and 200 metres (700 ft) deep. The crater was formed during large volcanic eruptions around 2,000 years ago. The bottom of the caldera contains volcanic ash of different colours as well as a variety of plant species, including a bush that is not found anywhere else, called Dama de Bandama. In the photo the interior of the crater is prominently green with grasses, bushes and dispersed mostly small trees. The crater’s sides are very steep with areas of bare rock.
Tony and Tatiana at a viewing area above Bandama Caldera. The shot is looking away from the caldera. The buildings of Gran Canaria's capital and largest town of Las Palmas can be seen away in the distance with the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Tony and Tatiana at a viewing area above Bandama Caldera. The shot is looking away from the caldera. The buildings of Gran Canaria’s capital and largest town of Las Palmas can be seen away in the distance with the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Tatiana and Tony again at the Bandama Caldera viewing area. The caldera is partly visible down below behind a wooden fence. Looking south-east over the island, there are green hills and mountains in the middle distance, and the sea is just visible in the far distance.
Tatiana and Tony again at the Bandama Caldera viewing area. The caldera is partly visible down below behind a wooden fence. Looking south-east over the island, there are green hills and mountains in the middle distance, and the sea is just visible in the far distance.
A depiction of the Virgin Mary carved into a tree trunk outside the parish church of San Mateo Apostle (St. Matthew the Apostle) in the village of Vega de San Mateo. Behind steps can be seen leading up to the 19th century church's pair of main doors.
A depiction of the Virgin Mary carved into a tree trunk outside the parish church of San Mateo Apostle (St. Matthew the Apostle) in the village of Vega de San Mateo. Behind steps can be seen leading up to the 19th century church’s pair of main doors.
Tony and Tatiana outside the parish church of San Mateo Apostle in Vega de San Mateo village. The church's front facade includes a pair of wooden doors with round windows above each. Higher up there is a clock face and at the top three bells are hanging in a row. The village of Vega de San Mateo is located in Gran Canaria's Las Palmas province at an altitude of around 850 metres above sea level in the mountainous central part of the island.
Tony and Tatiana outside the parish church of San Mateo Apostle in Vega de San Mateo village. The church’s front facade includes a pair of wooden doors with round windows above each. Higher up there is a clock face and at the top three bells are hanging in a row. The village of Vega de San Mateo is located in Gran Canaria’s Las Palmas province at an altitude of around 850 metres above sea level in the mountainous central part of the island.
Tony and Tatiana in Alameda Santa Ana, a small public square, outside the parish church of San Mateo Apostle in Vega de San Mateo village.
Tony and Tatiana in Alameda Santa Ana, a small public square, outside the parish church of San Mateo Apostle in Vega de San Mateo village.
Tatiana and Tony sitting on a wall at the top of Pico de las Nieves. Pico de las Nieves is traditionally considered to be Gran Canaria’s highest peak with an elevation of 1,949 metres (6,394 ft) although the adjoining rock promontory of Morro de la Agujereada is actually slightly higher at 1,956 metres (6,417 ft). The island of Gran Canaria is of volcanic origin and Pico de las Nieves is classified as a stratovolcano. The view shows the surrounding slopes covered with extensive pine forest. Other mountain peaks can be seen away in the distance.
Visitors at the viewing area and car park on top of Pico de las Nieves. Pico de las Nieves translates as Peak of the Snows.
Visitors at the viewing area and car park on top of Pico de las Nieves. Pico de las Nieves translates as Peak of the Snows.
In the foreground, a path descends into pine forest on the slopes of Pico de las Nieves. Away in the middle distance, the distinctive rock formation of Roque Nublo (Clouded Rock) can be seen. This volcanic rock is 80 metres (262 ft) tall and its top is at an elevation of 1,813 metres (5,948 ft) above sea level making it the third highest point on the island of Gran Canaria.
In the foreground, a path descends into pine forest on the slopes of Pico de las Nieves. Away in the middle distance, the distinctive rock formation of Roque Nublo (Clouded Rock) can be seen. This volcanic rock is 80 metres (262 ft) tall and its top is at an elevation of 1,813 metres (5,948 ft) above sea level making it the third highest point on the island of Gran Canaria.
Visitors enjoying the view from the top of Pico de las Nieves. The road up to the summit can be seen, and in the top right, a large ball-shaped dome can partially be seen. The dome is a radar on a military base that covers part of the summit.
Visitors enjoying the view from the top of Pico de las Nieves. The road up to the summit can be seen, and in the top right, a large ball-shaped dome can partially be seen. The dome is a radar on a military base that covers part of the summit.
A small pine tree stands in the foreground and beyond spectacular views of Gran Canaria's mountainous landscape from the top of Pico de las Nieves with mountain peaks and ridges disappearing off into the hazy distance.
A small pine tree stands in the foreground and beyond spectacular views of Gran Canaria’s mountainous landscape from the top of Pico de las Nieves with mountain peaks and ridges disappearing off into the hazy distance.
Close-up shot of Tony on Pico de las Nieves.
Close-up shot of Tony on Pico de las Nieves.
Tatiana and Tony having a rest on a wall with Pico de las Nieves now visible in the distance. The view is again filled with pine trees along with some areas of bare rock. On the summit of Pico de las Nieves the large ball-shaped military radar dome can be seen. The adjoining rocky outcrop of Morro de la Agujereada, Gran Canaria's highest point, is also visible.
Tatiana and Tony having a rest on a wall with Pico de las Nieves now visible in the distance. The view is again filled with pine trees along with some areas of bare rock. On the summit of Pico de las Nieves the large ball-shaped military radar dome can be seen. The adjoining rocky outcrop of Morro de la Agujereada, Gran Canaria’s highest point, is also visible.
Another shot of Pico de las Nieves and its surroundings from a roadside viewpoint.
Another shot of Pico de las Nieves and its surroundings from a roadside viewpoint.
A food shop on the main street in Teror. Teror is a town and municipality located 8 miles (13 km) south-west of Gran Canaria's capital Las Palmas. The town has a well preserved historic centre and in 2013 its population was 12,671.
A food shop on the main street in Teror. Teror is a town and municipality located 8 miles (13 km) south-west of Gran Canaria’s capital Las Palmas. The town has a well preserved historic centre and in 2013 its population was 12,671.
Plaza outside Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino in the town of Teror. Part of the neoclassical front facade of the basilica church can be seen to the left including two of three large main doorways. The parish of Teror was founded in 1505 and construction of the church began in 1760 and it was consecrated in 1767. The church is named after the Virgen del Pino (Virgin of the Pine) who is patron saint of Gran Canaria. The Virgen del Pino refers to an image of the Virgin Mary that is said to have appeared in a pine tree on the site of the basilica on 8th September 1492 to the first Bishop of Gran Canaria, Juan Frías. The image was said to possess healing qualities.
Plaza outside Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino in the town of Teror. Part of the neoclassical front facade of the basilica church can be seen to the left including two of three large main doorways. The parish of Teror was founded in 1505 and construction of the church began in 1760 and it was consecrated in 1767. The church is named after the Virgen del Pino (Virgin of the Pine) who is patron saint of Gran Canaria. The Virgen del Pino refers to an image of the Virgin Mary that is said to have appeared in a pine tree on the site of the basilica on 8th September 1492 to the first Bishop of Gran Canaria, Juan Frías. The image was said to possess healing qualities.

Thursday, 16th November 2023

Looking into a shop in downtown Las Palmas. The shop appears to sell homeware.
Looking into a shop in downtown Las Palmas. The shop appears to sell homeware.

Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and joint capital of the Canary Islands with Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is the ninth-largest city in Spain with a population of 381,223 in 2020. The city is a port located on the north-east coast of Gran Canaria. Founded on 24th June 1478 by Juan Rejón, Las Palmas was considered the de facto capital of the Canary Islands until the seventeenth century.

Historic buildings lining a shopping street in downtown Las Palmas. People can be seen in the street and there is a pharmacy opposite.
Historic buildings lining a shopping street in downtown Las Palmas. People can be seen in the street and there is a pharmacy opposite.
Outside the Cathedral of Santa Ana (also known as Las Palmas Cathedral) which is located in the historic Vegueta neighbourhood of Las Palmas. Construction of the present church began in 1500 and continued until 1570. The exterior of the cathedral is predominantly Neoclassical in style while the interior is Gothic. The photo shows part of the main entrance with large wooden doors sheltered under a porch.
Outside the Cathedral of Santa Ana (also known as Las Palmas Cathedral) which is located in the historic Vegueta neighbourhood of Las Palmas. Construction of the present church began in 1500 and continued until 1570. The exterior of the cathedral is predominantly Neoclassical in style while the interior is Gothic. The photo shows part of the main entrance with large wooden doors sheltered under a porch.
Tatiana touching a dog statue. This is one of eight bronze statues of dogs located in Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana outside the Cathedral of Santa Ana. Dogs are a symbol of Gran Canaria and it is believed the island may have been named after dogs which were found there. Canis is the Latin word for dog. There is a legend that Mauritanian King Juba II (c. 48 BC to AD 23) named the island Canaria due to its population of very large dogs.
Tatiana touching a dog statue. This is one of eight bronze statues of dogs located in Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana outside the Cathedral of Santa Ana. Dogs are a symbol of Gran Canaria and it is believed the island may have been named after dogs which were found there. Canis is the Latin word for dog. There is a legend that Mauritanian King Juba II (c. 48 BC to AD 23) named the island Canaria due to its population of very large dogs.
Slightly blurry shot of Tony and Tatiana in Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana.
Slightly blurry shot of Tony and Tatiana in Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana.
Another shot of Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana with Las Palmas Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) ahead at the opposite end of the square from the Cathedral of Santa Ana. Like the cathedral, the town hall is Neoclassical in style, and it was built between 1842 and 1855.
Another shot of Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana with Las Palmas Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) ahead at the opposite end of the square from the Cathedral of Santa Ana. Like the cathedral, the town hall is Neoclassical in style, and it was built between 1842 and 1855.
Another one of the eight bronze dog statues in a corner of Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana. The photo is taken at dusk with the square's street lights lit up.
Another one of the eight bronze dog statues in a corner of Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana. The photo is taken at dusk with the square’s street lights lit up.