Plaza Santa Ana in Gran Canaria’s Historic Quarter

In 1478 the Spanish began their conquest of Gran Canaria under Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.

One of the first developments on the archipelago was Plaza Santa Ana and inside the square the first church of the Canary Islands was built.

Located in the neighborhood of Vegueta within the capital of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the area that makes up the historical quarter today.

The pedestrian plaza isn’t brimming with tourist restaurants and hawkers selling souvenirs, but with palm shaded benches to sit and watch the world go by peacefully.

By far the Santa Ana Cathedral is the most eye-catching element, whose construction began in the year 1500 and was not complete for another 400 years. Due to this long building period, the twin towered church has characteristics of many architectural designs including gothic, neoclassical, and baroque.

Visitors can enter the church and marvel at the palm like piers and head up the tower for a birds eye view, for a fee (2019) of €3 per person. Also inside there is the Sacred Art Museum. In 1895 the dogs of the Plaza Santa Ana were placed in front of the cathedral.

There are eight sculptures are dedicated to the etymology of the Canary Islands, stemming from the Latin word for dog canis, due to the large dogs that once roamed the island. Other notable buildings include the town hall from 1842 and the Bishop’s Palace with its intricate Moorish entranceway.

Christopher Columbus stopped in the city on his way to America and you can visit Casa Museo de Colón to learn more about his stay on the island and journey to the new world. Exploring the narrow passages and alleyways lead to the most lovely postcard pictures.

Colorful fountains and colonial architecture abound in serenity, in stark contrast to the chaotic and busy tourist hubs of the island.

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