CIT is the Centre for Tourism Initiatives in the South of Tenerife, and they will be offering a number of guided tours in Adeje over the coming weeks, aimed at touirsts and residents. The tours will take in different parts of the borough of Adeje the aim being to explore and discover more about the history and heritage of this lovely part of the island and are free.
HISTORIC ROUTE THROUGH ADEJE TOWN
Adeje is one of the Canary Islands top tourism destinations however the town of Adeje, established in the 15th Century after the Spanish conquistadores arrived, is perhaps less well known. Adeje has played a very important role in the development of the south of the island over the centuries, from playing a leading role in the sugar production industry up to the arrival of mass tourism making the zone one of Europe’s leading destinations.
Through the guided tour you will find out more about the origins of the town of Adeje, discover the history of the old centre, explore the culture and heritage of the heart of Adeje.
The days and times are:
Sunday May 23rd, 9am
Sunday June 6th, 9am
Saturday June 12th, 9am (in English)
The meeting point is in front of the Casa Fuerte (Fort House) in Adeje
The tour will take about 2.5 hours and, given current restrictions, will be in reduced groups of under 20 persons and with a professional guide from the APIT (Association of Professional Guides of Tenerife).
Places you will visit
Casa Fuerte/Fort House: Built by Don Pedro de Ponte y Vergara in the middle of the 16th century, the buidling was fortified to combat the continous raids by pirates along this stretch of coast.
Santa Úrsula Church: The old hermitage was also built in the 16th Century founded by Don Pedro de Ponte y Vergara.
The old Franciscan Convent of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St Paul: Built at the end of the 17th century backed by Don Juan Bautista de Ponte y Pagés, the first Marques of Adeje.
Camino de la Virgin Route
This walk is known as the Incarnation, or the Walk of the Virgin Mary and is a pilgrim route taken often by Adeje residents over the years in gratitude for ‘favours’ received, with a rogation every year to the old hermitage in San Sebastian. Historically it was the route via which the state of the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation was carried, from the La Enramada Hermitage to Adeje’s Santa Úrsula church, to protect her from pirate incursions during the 16th century, thus the name of the route.
The main goal of the guided walk is to know the story of the statue, San Sebastian and the Ponte family and the evolution of the religious side of Adeje. Walkers will also have a chance to find out more about the customs and traditions of Adeje along the way.
The days and times are:
Friday May 21st, 5pm
Friday May 28th, 5pm
The meeting point is the San Sebastián plaza, in front of the church, and the plan is to have some local musicians to see you off. The walk takes about 2 hours and is a circuit – so you will finish back at the starting point and you should arrive back in time to see the sunset from the Playa de la Enramada.
Points of interests
Ermita de la Encarnación (Hermitage of the Incarnation)
This was built at the start of the 16th century and was the original home of the statue of La Virgen de la Encarnación, which is said to have appeared on La Enramada beach.
El Humilladero (The Shrine)
According to a book on the miracles of Our Lady of the Incarnation, the people of Adeje were devastated at the loss of a statue Our Lady until this one appeared to the people and the adopted it for their own, and it was first venerated at the cave of ‘el Humilladero’, and later brought to the hermitage by the sea built to house her.
La Era (Threshing floor)
This is a zone used for threshing cereal, usually built with a slight incline to avoid any pooling if it rains.
La Tosca Colorada
This is a point along the walk where you will notice signs that this was also a transit way for merchandise in times gone by. There is a also a spot, still used today, for pilgrims to stop and pray to Our Lady.
COVID Protocol
Given the current situation, CIT Sur, the tour organisers, will be following Covid protocols. Participants will be asked to fill in a questionnaire with their name and contact details and answer a few relevant health questions.
Registration and information
www.citsur.com or the CIT Sur Facebook page. For more information call 922 793312 or email
info@citsur.com
