La Oliva
The village of La Oliva was a place of some importance in the 17th century. It is now the centre of a municipality which includes Corralejo and El Cotillo. The population of La Oliva is about 10,000.
Its most impressive tourist attraction is the House of the Colonels (Casa de los Coroneles) where the military governors used to live.
It was often said that the house has 365 windows but this stems from an old peasant saying that the house had as many windows as days in the year.
The main entrance to the House of the Colonels is topped by a coat of arms made up of a goat, a tree and a crown and the wooden balconies that adorn the outside of this impressive building are decorated with carvings.
Next to the building are the servants' quarters and stables while the Montana del Fronton rises up in the background - a mountain that stands at the end of a long ridge.
In the centre of La Oliva is the town's main church, a pretty building dedicated to the Virgen de la Candelaria which dominates the town. Its large square bell tower can be seen for miles and the entrance is through an impressive carved door.
The highlights of the church include a black stone belfry, its three naves and a painting of The Last Judgment, a baroque altar painting by Juan de Miranda (1723-1805).
The chaplain's house, Casa del Capellan, sits on the side of the Corralejo road. Although neglected, this house - along with another in La Oliva - has a stone exterior with an Aztec motif - another example of the Mexican influence seen in Pajara.
Situated between the church and the Casa
de los
Coroneles is probably one of the finest
art galleries on the
island and one which La Oliva is rightly proud of.
The Centro de Arte Canario Casa Mane exhibits work from well known Canarian artists including a permanent exhibition of the works of Alberto Manrique.
There is also a large contemporary art gallery in the basement and a very attractive landscaped and sculptured garden.
The gallery is open 10am-5pm, closed Sundays.
La Oliva also boasts a museum, the Museo Casa del Grano or La Cilla which traces the history of windmills, the grains and its importance in the island's staple diet of gofio.
This museum is open Tuesday-Friday and Sundays 10am-5pm closed Saturdays and Mondays.
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