Santa Cruz de La Palma Old Town

A historic port, religious buildings and carved wooden balconies

Located in the east of the island of La Palma, the capital Santa Cruz is a city with an illustrious past. Founded on May 3, 1493 by Alonso Fernández de Lugo, it was an important port on the route between Europe and the colonies in the Americas. The city reached its height in the 16th Century and became the third largest port in Europe after Antwerp and Seville. A site of both historic and artistic interest, its churches are home to a significant collection of Flemish religious art. A unique set of carved wooden balconies that overlook the sea are also worth visiting.

Cobbled streets, Flemish altarpieces, the Insular Museum and Theatres

Santa Cruz de La Palma was the seat of the first Court of the Indies and many of the riches that the Spanish brought back from their colonies in the Americas passed through its gates. The town's considerable architectural heritage can be seen in its stately colonial-style houses set on cobble stone streets. This peaceful place has many cultural attractions including the Insular Museum with its remarkable collection of paintings and art, as well as the Chico and Circo de Marte theatres.

Historical heritage

Historic site

Tipo

Historic quarter

Public transport

Restoration

Shop/shopping

Touristic info

Santa Cruz de La Palma

Go to web site

Downloadable files selection

La Palma, la Isla Bonita

pdf

7.44 MB

Plano de Santa Cruz de La Palma

pdf

3.17 MB

Santa Cruz de La Palma Old Town + Historic quarters of La Palma

Sustainability

Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the different items of public furniture (information panels, railings, seats, lighting, etc.).