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LA GOMERA
Discover the island of La Gomera
The island of La Gomera is the only island in the Canary archipelago that has not had volcanic eruptions for over two million years.
It is also one of the few places in Spain which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its ecological wealth and natural heritage.
History and Culture
With a little more than 378 square kilometres of rugged landscape you can enjoy its highest peak, the Garajonay Peak, reaching a height of 1,487 meters. This has given rise to one of the most popular legends of the island: Gary and Jonay. Subsequently the name Garajonay was extended to the entire territory occupied by the National Park, unique in the world for its Laurisilva forests, numerous parks and natural monuments of great beauty, including places and species of scientific interest and extraordinary uniqueness.
According to many historians, the first settlers of the Canary Islands were the Berbers.
The conquest of La Gomera began in the early 15th century with Jean Bethencourt under the Spanish Crown of Castile. At that time, the island played a very important role in the discovery of America, since it was from this place that Admiral Christopher Columbus departed for the New World on September 6, 1492, after having supplied himself with water and food.
The highlight in terms of folklore and tradition is certainly the whistled language of Silbo Gomero which dates back to the aboriginal era and arises from the need to communicate across steep ravines. It is currently taught in schools and has been declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The village of Valle Gran Rey owes its name to the powerful Amalahuigue, the aboriginal king of the Canton of Orone. The valley is nestled between the cliffs of Tegerguenche and Mérica, the latter home of the giant lizard of La Gomera. These very rocky and almost vertical slopes reach altitudes of over seven hundred meters above the sea level. The upper part, better known as Guadá, has slopes traced by cultivated terraces that precede one of the leafiest palm groves on the island.
But this is just a small taste of the treasures, tradition and stories that our little island holds. We invite you to discover all the special corners and to tell us about your experiences.