I continue on my tour de force of Tenerife
with a visit to the port town of Garachico. It was founded by a Genoan banker in the 1500s and
became a very successful port, exporting Malmsey wine and other local produce. For many, many years the town
was oozing with riches, and even had a street made of marble, that commoners were
only allowed to walk on once a week!
But the people revolted…well not really! Actually, there was a huge volcanic eruption in 1706 and this seismic activity
brought great devastation to Garachico on a Biblical scale. Lava poured into the
town, destroying huge areas including the port, which held the livelihoods and
wealth of the inhabitants. It left behind a rocky seafront, which is now dotted with rock pools and is a great place to swim and bathe in, outside of the
winter months when I was visiting.
It was much too cold when I was there to
have a dip, and a recent flood meant the area was closed off for repairs to
the guardrails, etc.
This town really has a history of death and
destruction, having suffered plagues, volcanoes, floods, and conquests. But it
didn't feel that way when I was walking around the quaint streets.
There's a beautiful park that houses the
old 16th century gateway to the harbour; a tribute to its past and a
reminder of the fragility of life on an active volcano. There were lots
of grand old buildings that had survived the eruption, as well as years of
rebuilding and reconstruction.
It is a very pleasant place and I loved
this 15th century fortress perched by the seafront.
It was at this point that I realised how
varied the island of Tenerife is and how many cool things there are to see and
do. Luckily for all you readers and VR explorers out there, we have captured
the essence of the Garachico in this week's 360 experience.
Enjoy that and enjoy the photos! And come back next week for more!
