San Cristobal de La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a city and municipality in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Its administrative capital is located in the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, located 545 m above sea level. With 158,911 inhabitants, La Laguna is the second most populous city in Tenerife and the third in the Canary Islands. It is located in the northeast of the island of Tenerife, next to the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with which it is physically and urbanistically linked, being considered twin cities. The city is part of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Metropolitan Area together with El Rosario, Tegueste, Tacoronte, El Sauzal and Santa Cruz itself. Said metropolitan area has a population of more than 449,472 inhabitants.

The city was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1999 for being a unique example of an unwalled colonial city. It is home to the Canary Islands Advisory Council, the Canary Islands Astrophysics Institute, the Diocese of Tenerife, the Airport of Tenerife North and the University Hospital of the Canary Islands. In addition, the first university founded in the Canary Islands is also located in the city, and the first and oldest active institute in the archipelago, for which La Laguna was historically considered the intellectual center of the Canary Islands. It was the headquarters of the General Captaincy of Canarias (1656-1723), and until 1833 it was the de facto capital of the Canary Islands.

Place name

The Guanche aboriginal name for the area where this city with typically Castilian urban planning is located was Aguere, which was the name of the old lagoon or lake that existed in the place. This name is still often used to refer poetically or journalistically to San Cristobal de La Laguna.

The current name "San Cristóbal de La Laguna" comes from the fact that the city was founded on the banks of said lagoon and on dates close to the festival of San Cristóbal de Licia, specifically on July 27, 1496. San Cristóbal in his hagiography he has to precisely cross a lagoon carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulder, for which reason he was taken as the patron and head of the city to symbolize the strength of the city in the future and its link with the Catholic Church. «de La Laguna» is due to the aforementioned Aguere lake.

It is also often called "City of the Adelantados", because the Adelantado Alonso Fernández de Lugo and his descendants had their residence there or "City of Aguere", due to its aboriginal name.

Symbols

Shield

The city has a heraldic shield granted by Queen Juana of Castilla by Royal Decree of March 23, 1510 to the then capital of the island, which is why the island's shield coincides with that of the city.

The organization of the shield is: «Of gold, an island of sinople added to a volcano in its color spitting fire, all on waves of azure and silver, trained of a castle of gules, sinister of a lion of the same and mounted on the Archangel Saint Michael in his color, carrying a spear in one hand and a shield in the other. Gules border, with the legend in gold letters. At the bell, royal crown opened: Michael Arcangele Veni in Adjutorium Populo Dei Thenerife Me Fecit, which means Michael Archangel came to the aid of the people of God. Tenerife made me».

The volcano represents the island of Tenerife; the castle and the lion to the Crown of Castile to which the island is incorporated after the conquest; the archangel San Miguel alludes to the evangelization of the island under his dedication.

Flag

The city council has unofficially and since time immemorial used a purple flag with the heraldic shield in the center.

Logo

Since the city was declared a World Heritage Site, the city council has used a logo in purple and white (the traditional colors of the City) inspired by the wind rose, with which, according to history, Alonso Fernández de Lugo laid out the first streets of the city. Immediately before, another logo (with the same colors) was used in reference to the V Centenary of the founding of the City.^{[citation required]}

History

Drago from the former convent of Santo Domingo. He could be about 500 years old.

Guanche period: before the XV

The area around the current city has been inhabited since Guanche times (the ancient native inhabitants of Tenerife). The Guanches settled in the area at the same time as in the rest of the island approximately 2,000 years ago, according to the archaeological sites found.

It is known that the entire valley of Aguere (where the city extends) and mainly the large lagoon or lake that was in this place, was a place of pilgrimage for the aborigines of the entire island of Tenerife.

European conquest and colonization: XV and XVI

San Cristóbal de La Laguna was founded next to the old Aguere lagoon, which, as happened in other cities around the world such as Mexico City, the lagoon had to be dynamited at the time due to the state of the water, dried up and gave rise to the growth of the city. After the completion of the conquest of the islands. It was founded between 1496 and 1497 by the Adelantado Alonso Fernández de Lugo and named the capital of the Cabildo de Tenerife, because it is located in the interior of the island and thus free from looting by pirates. It is known that after the conquest, the island of Tenerife quickly became the most populated of the Canary Islands and La Laguna the most important urban center of the archipelago. In 1531, Emperor Charles V of the German Roman Empire and I of Spain gave it the title of "city" to La Laguna. In 1582, the city suffered a virulent epidemic of the Black Death that produced between 5,000 and 9,000 deaths.

Old Regime: XVII and XVIII

Amaro Pargo, famous merchant and bareback

The city was formed little by little in the first centuries, settling in it the elite and aristocracy of the time, as well as the religious power. La Laguna was at this time the cradle of the Enlightenment in the Canary Islands. As a consequence of the felling of the forests around the lagoon, rain erosion moved the soil downwards, blocking most of the lagoon and turning it into the fertile plain known as Vega Lagunera. La Laguna was the headquarters of the General Captaincy of the Canary Islands between 1656-1723. The city was the de facto capital of the Canary Islands until 1833.

Modern period: XIX and XX

San Cristobal de La Laguna in 1880

Over the years, the city lost economic and population weight compared to its port, the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which in the XIX achieved with Fernando VII the transfer of the General Captaincy of the Canary Islands and the insular capital from La Laguna to Santa Cruz, at the same time that other municipalities were segregating, the first of them being Villa de La Orotava. La Laguna managed to stay afloat thanks to the fact that the Bishopric of the Nivariense diocese had already been created (previously there was only the diocese of the Canary Islands, based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) and the University of La Laguna (based on the college of the Augustinians); institutions granted to La Laguna thanks to the action of Cristóbal Bencomo y Rodríguez, confessor of Fernando VII.

As a note of interest, when Napoleon Bonaparte's troops besieged Cádiz in 1810, during the Spanish War of Independence, the Cortes of that city sent a message to the Canary Islands transferring the capital of Spain. As a consequence of this message, the Supreme Board of the Canary Islands met in the gardens of Nava, with the aim of governing the territories not yet occupied by the French (the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Cartagena, Galicia and the American colonies, as well as the Philippines and the Spanish Micronesia). Also in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria a similar body was established, the Permanent Council. As a memory of it, a small square in the «villa de arriba" It bears the name of Plaza de la Junta Suprema, and in it stands a monolith that had the Latin inscription FIDEL (“faithful”) until 2006 and from then until its disappearance in 2007 the inscription “FIEL AND OF ILLUSTREOUS HISTORY» (the official title of the city is «Very noble, loyal, faithful and of illustrious history City of San Cristóbal de La Laguna»). However, the French troops did not take Cádiz and the Cortes resumed its work of government. In 2007, the City Council, chaired by Ana Oramas (Canary Islands Coalition), in its campaign to pedestrianize the Historic Center of the city, changed the pavement of the Plaza de la Junta Suprema, eliminating the monolith in the process. At the end of the works, the monolith was restored to its original location.

Since the city lost its status as capital, it entered into a long delay in development compared to Santa Cruz, until the mid-20th centuryXX began a period of urban development, particularly in the neighborhoods and without particularly affecting the historic center, which has once again placed it among the main cities of the archipelago.

Around 1850, San Cristóbal de La Laguna absorbed the then independent municipalities of Tejina, Punta del Hidalgo and Valle de Guerra. In 1999 the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

21st century

Street of the town in the centuryXXI

On January 23, 2006, a fire destroyed the Palace of the Salazar de Frías family, which until now was the episcopal seat of the bishopric of Tenerife. It was a building from the 17th century century, although it was not the bishop's residence until the end of the 19th century. In 2009 it was completely rebuilt.

On January 31, 2010, the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, made up of the Knights of the Canary Islands Section and the Archdiocese of Seville, located its headquarters for the entire Canary Islands in the Church of Los Dolores de La Laguna. Currently the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem is also established in more than 48 countries.

La Laguna is also the headquarters of the Virgen de Candelaria Higher Institute of Theology of the Canary Islands.

Geography

The municipality of La Laguna is located to the northeast of the island of Tenerife, in the Aguere valley, between the Anaga massif and Mount de La Esperanza. It limits with the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, El Rosario and Tacoronte, completely surrounding the municipality of Tegueste.

Even though the municipality is not one of the largest on the island, it is one of the most diverse; In its center, in an extensive plain surrounded by mountains, is the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna with a belt of popular neighborhoods, among which are San Roque, El Timple, La Verdellada, Barrio Nuevo, Gracia, El Coromoto, San Benito, San Lazaro and El Bronco. To the south, between the city and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is the area that is experiencing an urban and economic boom: La Cuesta, Taco and La Hornera, with its multiple bedroom neighborhoods. To the north, the coast and the agricultural region of Tejina and Valle de Guerra, and the tourist region of Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo. To the west, the municipality expands through Geneto and Los Baldíos, and is preserved in a residential and rustic form in Guamasa and El Ortigal. To the east, the municipality stretches across the Anaga massif, where the rural settlements of Jardina, Las Mercedes, El Batán and Las Carboneras stand out.

It has an extension of 102.05 km², occupying the 8th place in terms of extension of the island of Tenerife and the 13th.er of the province.

The highest altitude in the municipality is found at the elevation known as Cruz de Taborno, at 1020 m a.s.l. no. m.

Orography

View from the Garden viewpoint

The area on which the city sits is a formation closely linked to the eruptive activity of volcanic cones located between the Dorsal Mountain Range and the Anaga massif, whose basaltic emissions correspond to the most recent series on the island. Prior to this period of activity, the Vega Lagunera was a ravine in the hydrographic network of the Anaga massif, which ran southwest in this area, pouring its waters into the sea.

The lava flows from the La Esperanza volcanic field spilled in this area in a northerly and easterly direction, some of them penetrating the channel of the ravine, closing its course. Subsequently, a lagoon was formed with the contributions of rainwater, whose volume was greater than that of the losses suffered by evaporation or drainage. The violence of erosion caused a rapid sedimentation during the Quaternary, which progressively raised the bottom of the lagoon, allowing the formation of clayey silts, with absences of coarse granulometries and variable depth, exceeding 20 meters in depth in some places.

From a geological point of view, sediments are very important in the area, highlighting the lacustrine clays of La Laguna, Los Rodeos and La Esperanza.

As a result of settlement, the sedimentary process intensified. The plowing displaced the forest towards the northeast of the plain, up to its modern limit, in the mount of Las Mercedes, the soils, without vegetation cover, were eroded more easily. Since the end of the XVI the lagoon had little bottom and during the summer it often dried up completely; in 1799 it was just a swamp, and it disappeared definitively in 1837, artificially drained, and its bottom was just raised through the works carried out for that purpose by the Command of Engineers. As a result of this evolution, the area offered good conditions for crops and the possibility of obtaining wood and stone, without requiring heavy labor to transport them.

Climate

The climate of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is Csb-type Mediterranean oceanic according to the Köppen climate classification.

Average weather parameters of Observatorio del Aeropuerto de Tenerife Norte (632 m s. n. m.) (Reference period: 1981-2010)
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	25.6	26.9	30.6	32.4	37.6	37.8	41.4	39.2	37.0	33.2	31.0	25.2	41.4
Average temperature (°C)	16.0	16.7	18.2	18.5	20.1	22.2	24.7	25.7	24.9	22.5	19.6	17.1	20.5
Average temperature (°C)	13.1	13.4	14.5	14.7	16.1	18.1	20.2	21.2	20.7	18.9	16.5	14.3	16.8
Temp. medium (°C)	10.2	10.0	10.7	10.9	12.0	14.0	15.7	16.6	16.5	15.2	13.3	11.5	13.0
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	4.0	5.2	5.4	6.3	7.2	8.8	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.6	8.0	6.6	4.0
Total precipitation (mm)	79.9	70.2	61.4	38.8	18.7	10.7	6.4	5.2	15.9	47.0	81.1	82.3	520.3
Precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)	7.7	7.4	6.8	6.2	3.8	2.4	1.7	1.1	2.8	6.5	8.3	8.8	64.0
Hours of sun	150.0	167.7	187.8	202.5	234.4	237.1	262.4	268.7	213.3	193.9	155.4	136.8	2410
Relative humidity (%)	76	75	71	74	72	73	69	69	71	74	75	79	73
Source: State Meteorology Agency

Protected spaces

La Laguna has part of the protected natural space of the Anaga rural park of the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Spaces.

The Anaga rural park has the highest number of endemic species per square kilometer in Europe, having also been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2015.

A large part of the rural park belonging to La Laguna is also included in the Natura 2000 Network as a Special Conservation Area and a Special Protection Area for Birds.

The municipality also owns the Monte de Utilidad Pública denominated Las Mercedes, Mina y Yedra.

Demographics

Graphic of demographic evolution of San Cristóbal de La Laguna between 1900 and 2021

Official regular residents according to ISTAC population censuses.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna ranks second in number of inhabitants both on the island of Tenerife and in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In addition, it is the third most populous city in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, after Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, respectively. To these data we must add a floating population of students from other islands.

As of January 1, 2020, the population of the municipality amounted to 158,911 inhabitants. The relative population was 1499.21 inhabitants/km².

San Cristóbal de La Laguna experienced an increase in population between 1842 and 1857, going from 6,532 inhabitants to 10,229, due to the aggregation of the municipalities of Punta del Hidalgo, Tejina and Valle de Guerra.

Regarding the place of birth, 82% of the population of the municipality was born in the Canary Islands, of which 41% had been born in the municipality itself, 48% in another municipality on the island and 11% He came from another island in the archipelago. The rest of the population was made up of 6% peninsular Spaniards and 12% born abroad, mainly from Venezuela, Cuba and Germany.

Citizenship

The municipality of La Laguna (2007) is one of the most active in Tenerife in terms of citizen movements. In La Laguna there are around 400 neighborhood associations with a participation ranging from the 1600 members that the so-called Los Verdeños de La Verdellada Neighborhood Association has to the smallest of about three associates. In the municipality there are also three neighborhood federations, the most important is the FAV Aguere, followed by the Unión Verdeña that subscribes to the important Barrio de La Verdellada; and finally the Los Menceyes FAAM of the important expansion area of Geneto. In La Laguna there are also some 15 youth groups with a participation that goes from the 780 associates of AJUVE (Youth Association of La Verdellada) to the three members of the smallest. The associative map of the municipality is completed by 23 women's associations, 45 for the elderly, several sports, folklore and cultural associations, as well as student associations linked to the University of La Laguna. For its part, the City Council has the largest network of citizen centers in the entire Canary Islands with more than 40 buildings for participation and distributed throughout the municipal geography, geographically framed in the main neighborhoods and which have served as the headquarters for the associations by zones..

Administration and politics

Municipal government

Consistorial House

Territorial organization

The city is located in the Comarca of the Metropolitan Area, with the exception of its surface immersed in the rural park of Anaga, which belongs to the Comarca de Anaga. San Cristóbal de La Laguna is divided into six municipal districts, subdivided into turn into twenty-four unique population entities.

Economy

Cut flower agriculture, greenhouse vegetables and banana trees in the northeast region. Cattle ranch in the surroundings of the city, having the largest cattle herd of cattle in the province. Los Rodeos has the largest cereal area in the Canary Islands. The city is the headquarters of the Association of Cattlemen of Tenerife (AGATE) and of the Cooperativa del Campo La Candelaria, with another important cooperative society in Tejina; Tejina harvesters, which closed its doors in December 2013 after 66 years of activity.

Commercial and urban areas in the center and south of the municipality and tourism on the north coast. In the southern area of the municipality are the main industrial estates: Los Majuelos, Las Torres de Taco, Las Mantecas, Las Chumberas, etc., where factories —warehouses— for food and manufacturing, exports, and large shopping centers of the food industry, DIY, automobiles and household equipment. In the historic center and in the 180 neighborhoods of the municipality, traditional commerce and small family industry are dispersed. Most of the population works in the service sector. The University of La Laguna is located in the municipality, with some 24,000 students in the 2005/6 academic year.

The largest number of large shopping centers on the island is concentrated in the municipality of La Laguna and with it most of the commercial capital of the island, the Tenerife North Airport, the University Hospital of the Canary Islands, the University of La Laguna, the Provincial Historical Archive.

In 2010, after a survey by Merco Ciudad, La Laguna was listed as the Canarian city with the best reputation and the third most reputable non-province capital city in Spain, behind only Gijón and Marbella.

Services

Health

Hospital Universitario de Canarias

In its municipal area is the University Hospital of the Canary Islands. In addition, San Cristóbal de La Laguna has a wide network of Health Centers, distributed throughout the city.

Education

La Laguna is home to the University of the same name, the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands and the Antonio González Institute of Bio-Organics. In addition, in La Laguna is the IES Canarias Cabrera Pinto, the first and oldest active institute in the Canary Islands.

The National Distance Education University is also based in the city. It also has the Official School of Languages.

Transportation

Los Rodeos or Tenerife Norte Airport

Tram de Tenerife in San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Airport

Roads

Public transport

The passenger transport services are covered by the company Transportes Interurbanos de Tenerife, S.A.U. (TITSA), through a wide coverage of urban and interurban services. In addition, the tram (Metropolitano de Tenerife) also provides its services with lines 1 and 2.

The new bus station in La Laguna, inaugurated in 2011, is located next to the highway, and at the beginning of Av. de la Trinidad. Access to the city center by tram can be done through the Padre Anchieta stop, located on Avenida de Ángel Guimerá, in the Transport Interchange.

Monuments and places of interest

Casa Salazar, headquarters of the obispado

Church of Sto Domingo de Guzmán

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  Royal Sanctuary of the Christ of La Laguna

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  University of La Laguna

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  Church of the Conception

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  Leal Theatre

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  Advisory Council of the Canary Islands

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  Jesuit House and headquarters of the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife

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  Casino

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  Central of Telefónica

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  Convent of the Catherines

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  Post Central

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  Building in San Agustín Street, 6

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  Building in San Agustín Street, 15

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  Building on Bishop Rey Redondo Street, 51

Culture

Cultural events

As for festivals, one can mention Campus Rock, among others, originally a university music festival, today completely unrelated to the University (to the point of having been held in other municipalities with the same name). On the other hand, the Historical Film Festival, which had been held at the Aguere Multicines, has been left without a financial subsidy from the City Council and for this reason there has not been a celebration of what would have been its third edition in 2007.

But today, the Tunas Ciudad de La Laguna International Contest stands out, which has been held annually since 2006, and has been classified as one of the best in this type of event^{[citation required ]}. Organized by the Tuna District of the University of La Laguna (District Tuna of the University of La Laguna), the City Council of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and the University of La Laguna itself.

Festivities and traditions

Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna, its festivals are the largest in the municipality

Several festivals are celebrated in the municipality, with local holidays being Carnival Tuesday and September 29, the feast of San Miguel Arcángel. Currently, September 14, the festival of Cristo de La Laguna, is also a local holiday.

The main ones are:

• Feasts of the Blessed Christ of La Laguna: September is the month of the Blessed Christ, is the main religious feast of the city, together with the Holy Week. The image of the Christ of La Laguna of great popular devotion is in fact the advocation of the most venerated Christ of the Canary Islands. His feast is celebrated on September 14th, that day is festive in the municipality, every September 9th is celebrated the solemn descent or descent of the Christ from the main altar of his Royal Sanctuary.
• Romería de San Benito Abad: 2nd Sunday of July. It is the most representative of the Canary Islands, in which groups come from all corners of the archipelago participate. In addition, it is the only pilgrimage of the Canary Islands considered regional, that is, of all the Canary Islands. It is also considered among the most important pilgrimages in Spain.
• Corpus Christi: 60 days after Easter Sunday. This is considered the oldest procession in the Canary Islands.
• Holy Week of San Cristobal de La Laguna: 40 days after Lent. This Holy Week holds the title of being the oldest and most important of the Canary Islands. Although it is currently contaminated by influences beyond the Canarian tradition, in addition, the practice of all the steps go out to the street mounted on wheeled cars, clearly departing from the Canarian tradition of carrying them on shoulders, as is still done today in many places of the islands. It has this Holy Week with steps of great historical-artistic value, such as the already mentioned Christ of La Laguna, who accompanied by his brotherhoods, some of them centenary and who adopted the use of the capirote in the centuryXIXwalk on thrones with wheels the most important streets of the city of the Adelantados. Lagunera Holy Week has more than 20 brotherhoods and brotherhoods, highlighting the Pontificia, Real and Venerable Slavery of the Blessed Christ of La Laguna, which is one of the oldest in the archipelago, founded long before 1545 (date of opening of the Council of Trent), whose headline is the Holy Christ of La Laguna.

Procession of Palm Sunday

For its part, in the different neighborhoods the following stand out:

• Cabalgata de Reyes de La Laguna (5 January).
• Carnival of La Verdellada (February).
• Fiestas de San Matías (May).
• Romería in honor of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza, Valle Guerra (May).
• Romería de San Isidro de Las Mercedes (June).
• San Juan (San Juanito) on June 24 at the Punta del Hidalgo.
• Feasts of Saint Mary Mother of Jesus of Cardonal (July).
• Embarcación de la Virgen del Carmen de La Hoya, Punta del Hidalgo (July).
• Feasts of the Virgin of Candelaria of El Batán (July).
• Feasts of Our Lady of Lourdes of La Verdellada (July and August).
• Feasts of Our Lady of Grace (first weekend of August).
• Fiestas de San Roque (16 August).
• Feasts of the Great Power of God of Bajamar (August).
• The Hearts of San Bartolomé de Tejina (24 August).
• St. Matthew Apostle in Punta del Hidalgo (21 September).
• Celebrations in honor of the Virgin of the Rosary, War Valley (October).
• Feasts of Our Lady of Guadalupe of San Matías (December).

Customs

The Punta del Hidalgo area of the municipality is the cradle of the Los Sabandeños folkloric group. La Laguna maintains registered more than fifty groups in the neighborhoods and towns of the municipality.

The main festivity of local traditions is the Romería de San Benito Abad, held at the beginning of July in the town, in which a large crowd of oxen-drawn carts and folkloric groups participate, and where you can taste the local gastronomy. In other towns in the municipality there are other festivals such as La Librea de Valle de Guerra (open-air theatrical staging that recreates the battle of Lepanto) or Los Corazones de Tejina. Also noteworthy is the Las Mercedes Pilgrimage during the month of May and the Ciudad de La Laguna International Festival of Tunas, every spring.

Assets of Cultural Interest

La Laguna has often been called the "Florence of the Canary Islands", this is due to the large number of churches and convents it has, as well as its old town and its historic buildings. Also due to the fact that La Laguna It was the cradle or headquarters of different artistic and cultural movements later exported to the rest of the Canary Islands, especially in the religious sphere as in Holy Week, or having been the cradle in the Canary Islands of the Enlightenment movement, also called the "Century of the Lights». This favored the emergence especially in the Baroque era (XVII and XVIII) of notable sculptors, painters and architects who practiced their trade in the city and sometimes exported their works to the rest of the archipelago.

Outstanding in the city center are the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, also known as Santa Iglesia Catedral, neoclassical in style, with polypropylene vaults; the Iglesia Matriz de la Concepción, the main parish church of the island whose Renaissance stone tower is the symbol of the city; the Royal Sanctuary of the Holy Christ of La Laguna, which houses the image of the brown carving of the Holy Christ; the Plaza del Adelantado, the Town Hall, the Nava and Salazar palaces, seat of the Bishopric and a copy of the previous one, devastated by a fire on January 23, 2006; the Casino, the convents of Las Claras and Las Catalinas, the ex-convent and the church of Santo Domingo, the Dragon Tree of the Seminary and the Dragon Tree of Calle del Agua. In the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena is the incorrupt body of the nun Sor María de Jesús, with a reputation for being miraculous. For its part, the Convent of Santa Clara de Asís, belonging to the Franciscan Order, was the first female convent in the Canary Islands.

It is also worth noting the old Convent of San Agustín, annexed to the burned church of the same name and located on the street also of the same name, headquarters of the first Institute of the Canary Islands since 1846, where most of the Canaries have studied until into the XX century. It is worth noting the passage through this educational center of the writer from Gran Canaria D. Benito Pérez Galdós. It currently houses part of the facilities of the Canarias Cabrera Pinto Institute. In this place, you can visit the cloisters and two exhibition halls dedicated to natural sciences and scientific instruments. It also houses a series of extremely interesting paintings belonging to the Prado Museum.

The many small chapels that dot the orography of the city are also of interest, such as the Chapel of the Green Cross, the Chapel of the Cruz de los Plateros, the Chapel of the Cross of Rodríguez Moure, the Chapel of the Cross of Juan de Vera and that of the Cruz de los Alamos.

Various underground tunnels, passageways and crypts have recently been found dating from the time immediately after the founding of the city. These tunnels sometimes pass under emblematic buildings such as the church of La Concepción, the cathedral of La Laguna and the old convent of San Agustín, among others. Researchers believe that the current city of La Laguna has risen in level, as it is currently not at the same ground level as it was at the time of its foundation. In some places it has risen more than a meter and buried what was below. Apparently, it was a very widespread European custom and also carried out in other cities (such as Rome) whereby it was cheaper to build on top of it than to destroy what already existed.

Leal Theatre, 1915

The historic center of the city has the Teatro Leal, an eclectic building that hosts the main cultural performances. It also houses the auditorium of the University of La Laguna and the auditorium of the IES La Laboral. It is worth mentioning that the intervention in the ruins and surroundings of the Church of San Agustín is expected in order to create a multicultural space also in the historic center. However, the city has large scenic venues that are closed or under renovation. Such is the case of the Cine Coliseo and the Aguere Multicines. However, the municipality, outside the city center, does have several cinemas, auditoriums or art museums.

In addition, in the City there are cultural institutions such as the Ateneo de La Laguna, the Orfeón La Paz, the Casino and the Tertulia de Nava. Also noteworthy in this section is the headquarters of the Canarian Academy of Language, located in the Canarias Cabrera Pinto Institute, as well as the bicentennial Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife, located in the Casa de los Jesuitas on Calle San Agustín. There is a wide variety of art galleries and various exhibition halls, although these are not public, but are owned by banking institutions.

In turn, the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is the world headquarters of the International Center for Heritage Conservation, which has its offices in the House of the General Captains.

Parks and gardens

Museums

Exhibition halls

Theatres

Music

Leisure

The nightlife area of the city, between the streets of Heraclio Sánchez and Antonio González. Of interest is this university area, called El Cuadrilátero, where more than a hundred bars and pubs liven up the lagoon night. The so-called “botellón” is also practiced in this area. There is also nightlife in the Las Chumberas area, with the Las Palmeras leisure center where, in addition to bars and restaurants, we find a shopping and leisure park with shops, multiplex cinemas and department stores. In the Guamasa area, close to the airport, there are very popular nightclubs and restaurants. Within the historic quarter, the taverns stand out where you can taste exquisite Canarian cheeses and local wines.

World Heritage City (UNESCO)

UNESCO World Heritage Program Logo

San Cristóbal de La Laguna has a universal and exceptional value due to the conception of its plan. This historical complex is the archetype of the city-territory. It is the first example of a non-fortified city, conceived and built according to a plan inspired by navigation, the science of the time. Its space is organized according to a new peaceful social order inspired by the religious doctrine of the millennium that arouses the year 1500.

The plan of the city is read as the «star map», in which the points correspond to particular points of the city and to the relations between certain of these points and a whole. It has a symbolic meaning and is interpreted as a marine chart or a map of constellations of the time.

On December 2, 1999, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Marrakech (Morocco) made public its approval of the World Heritage title for the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife. The World Heritage Committee justifies this distinction based mainly on the following criteria:

• The Laguna is a historic archetype of the "ciudad-territory", the first example of unfortified colonial city and direct precedent of the new American foundations. It was drawn from a complex project, based on philosophical principles, made thanks to the knowledge of navigation, the science of its time.
• Its original layout, of the year 1500, has remained intact since its creation. It keeps in good condition about six hundred Mudejar architecture buildings. The Laguna is a living example of the exchange of influences between European culture and American culture with which it has maintained a constant link.

Cinema

The filmmaker José G. Rivero, 1926

As regards cinematographic heritage, it should be noted that in La Laguna, at the beginning of the 20s (XX century), José González Rivero created the production company Rivero Film, and began filming documentaries and local newsreels. In 1926 he shot the first Canarian feature film, associated with Romualdo García de Paredes. The film was titled The thief with the white gloves, and it premiered at the Teatro Leal on September 6, 1926. It was shot in Tenerife municipalities, especially in La Laguna and Santa Cruz. It is a silent film, which can be accompanied with piano music.

Religion

The believing population of the municipality of La Laguna mainly professes the Catholic religion, the parishioners being distributed in several parishes belonging to the archpriestships of La Laguna, La Cuesta, Ofra (University Hospital of the Canary Islands), Taco and Tegueste of the diocese of Tenerife.

Sponsorship of the city

Monument to Father José de Anchieta, Jesuit missionary in Brazil and saint of the Catholic Church born in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. The statue, 5 m, presides over the entrance af the city

The patronage of the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is divided among several saints and dedications. Such is the proliferation of these patron cults that there is the popular expression that "La Laguna has more patrons than Seville."

San Cristóbal de Licia gives its name to the city and the municipality as it was founded on dates close to the festival of this saint, which is why it is the patron saint of the city, and the Virgen de los Remedios (advocation to which the Santa Iglesia Catedral is consecrated) is the patron saint, whose festival is celebrated on September 8. The Virgen de los Remedios is also the patron saint of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna and of the island of Tenerife. On the other hand, the patron saints of the cathedral and the diocese are: San Fernando Rey and Santa Isabel de Portugal.

They are patrons of the city: San Juan Bautista, in gratitude for supposedly having rid the city of a plague that devastated the island and the Immaculate Conception, who also has the title of Perpetual Mayor of the city. Saint Michael the Archangel, to whom the Adelantado Alonso Fernández de Lugo had great devotion, is also considered a patron of the city and patron of the San Cristóbal de La Laguna City Council, as well as being patron of the island of Tenerife. His image is reflected in the shield of the city and the island.

It is important to highlight the presence of another important saint for the city, San José de Anchieta, who despite not being officially its patron or compatron, is nevertheless the first and only canonized saint born in La Laguna. Anchieta was a missionary in Brazil and was the founder of São Paulo and one of the founders of Rio de Janeiro.His feast, every June 9, is highly regarded by the bishopric. However, the most revered and famous image of La Laguna and one of the most revered in the Canary Islands, is the Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna, in fact the day of his feast (September 14) is a holiday throughout the city and the municipality.

Visit to the Virgin of Candelaria

The origin of this tradition goes back to the middle of the {{|XVI|s|0}}, specifically to the year 1555, when the Virgin of Candelaria (patron saint of the Canary Islands), was transferred for the first time to San Cristóbal de La Laguna (capital of the island at that time) to protect the religious image from possible pirate attacks on the shores of Villa Mariana de Candelaria. Later she would be transferred mainly for reasons of prayers: droughts, plagues, epidemics, natural catastrophes, etc. Thus on more than 30 occasions until 1789 when this custom was lost for more than a century.

At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1939 it was resumed, although for commemorative reasons and also visiting the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which had become the capital of the province of the Canary Islands the previous century. As of the year 2001, the transfers or visits of the Virgin would be established every seven years, alternating between La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The image of the Virgin usually remains in the city for two weeks, during which different religious activities are carried out. In this transfer, it is customary for the Virgin of Candelaria to meet the Christ of La Laguna, before leaving the city and starting her way back to Candelaria.

This is a great Marian pilgrimage that over time has become a tradition and one of the most important religious events for La Laguna. The last transfer to this city occurred in October 2018. Previous visits of the image were in 2009, 1997, 1964 and 1939. The Virgin of Candelaria holds the title of Honorary and Perpetual Mayor of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, as well as the rest of the municipalities on the island of Tenerife.

Sports

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is home to teams from all fields of sport. In its municipal term are, among other sports facilities, the Santiago Martín basketball pavilion, the Juan Ríos Tejera sports center and the Francisco Peraza Municipal Stadium. It has three Municipal Sports Complexes (San Benito, La Cuesta and El Polvorín de Taco) equipped with exercise rooms, a gym and a swimming pool, among other services.

The city of La Laguna hosts important sporting events every year. In 2018 it hosted, along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the 2018 Women's Basketball World Cup organized by the International Basketball Federation and the Spanish Basketball Federation.

The San Silvestre Lagunera race is held annually, which is held on the last day of the year and in 2020 the XXIX edition was held. This sporting event has been held since 1982.

There are also athletics, cycling, martial arts, yoga, pilates and dance schools in the municipal complex.

Twin cities

There is a twinning project with the cities of Pisa, in Italy, and Havana, in Cuba.

Notable people