Antigua

Antigua information

Antigua is one of the oldest villages on the island and was once the capital of the island - for a year!

Built in the 18th century, it's short lived claim as the island's capital ended when the title past to La Olivia although the locals are still proud of the fact. Today the capital is Puerto del Rosario.

The church that dominates the town, Cruz de los Caldos, was built in 1785 and stands among shrubbery and trees and is usually open to the public in the mornings. There is a beautiful village square which is filled with flowers all year round.

The present population of Antigua is about 3,000 and it is worth a visit just to find the little Spanish bars and restaurants in the back streets selling local dishes and tapas.

Antigua has a fully restored windmill which serves as a cultural and arts centre with craft shops selling local handicraft and craft. There are various rooms filled with old relics which recount the history of the island and a very attractive cactus garden.

Although a quiet village, Antigua does have a lively market as well as a school, library, post office and clinic and is still the administrative headquarters for the Costa Antigua area.

There is an annual craft fair which normally takes place in May with over 100 stalls from all over the Canary Islands showing off their wares and giving demonstrations.

The actual municipiality of Antigua covers 262 sq. kms and is characterised by a large plain 200 metres above sea level bordered on the west by the Maninubre peak and slowly sloping down to the sea in the east.

There are wide valleys and gores in the east of Antigua while towards the south the valleys are narrower.

There are wide wasteland areas (malpais or badlands) covered in lava from the Gairia crater.

In Antigua's El Malpais Grande the lava originates from Tuineje. It stretches down to the sea across an old valley where the water has carved channels on both sides of the larva.