Teror: the colonial charm of Gran Canaria

What to do in Teror?

A stroll through the little streets of Teror

In the historic centre of the town of Teror, more specifically in the Plaza del Pino, stands the famous Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino. Home to one of the most venerated virgins in the Canary Islands, the Virgin of El Pino, Patron Saint of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, it is the most important building in the municipality and one of the most outstanding examples of religious architecture in the Canary Islands. Built around 1760, it is the main Marian temple on the island and also the first to receive the title of Basilica from the Holy See. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1976, it is now a popular meeting point and pilgrimage site throughout the year.

Next to the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino, you will find the Plaza Teresa de Bolívar, a small but cosy square that was created in 1958 as a relief to the Plaza del Pino, as it received a great influx of pilgrims and visitors, especially during the town's festivities. It is named in homage to the wife of Simón Bolívar, who in turn was the great-granddaughter of Bernardo Rodriguez del Toro, an illustrious personage born in Teror in the 17th century.

Located behind the Basílica del Pino, there is another building that constitutes one of the emblematic works of the Historical Centre, the Episcopal Palace. The building was a gift of thanks from the inhabitants of the town to bishops Morán and Delgado. It was built in the same years as the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino, and has spacious halls and three courtyards. Nowadays, the Palace, after its remodelling, is divided into two parts: one dedicated to the House of Culture and the other to the church.

While we are in the streets of the historic quarter, let's take a look at the Town Hall. It dates from 1883, and is located on the right side of the alameda. It is one of the most emblematic civil buildings in the town.

If you happen to be in Teror on a Sunday, don't miss the weekly street market, where you'll find all kinds of high-quality local products, both handmade and foodstuffs. If you fancy this idea, note that the Teror market takes place in the morning, from 9:00 to 15:00, in the area around the Basilica.

The natural surroundings in Teror

For those who enjoy the great outdoors, Teror is your destination!

Situated about two kilometres from the historic centre of Teror, nestled in the mythical Doramas Rural Park, is the Osorio Estate. Extending over more than 200 hectares, with paths, mountains, ravines, farmland and forest, it is the ideal place to practice sports and enjoy your time in the open air. This site has belonged to the Cabildo de Gran Canaria since the 1980s and is used for environmental education activities, although it is also used for agriculture and livestock farming. It also has a forest nursery specialising in the reproduction of laurel forest species, a sawmill for the use of wood resources generated in forestry treatments and is the headquarters of the Rabiche Pigeon Reintroduction Project.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Prior permission must be requested to visit the Finca de Osorio.

Pine Tree Festival

The municipality of Teror has always been an important centre of worship in Gran Canaria. Ancient chronicles tell us that an image of the Virgin appeared, without warning, in Teror. Being, in the 15th century, a distant village, nestled in dense laurel forests, the event increased its reputation as an enchanted village, which 500 years later is still present in the collective imagination of the inhabitants of the island of Gran Canaria. Two centuries later, when September arrives, the month in which the moon is closest to the earth, the islanders walked to Teror in search of the Queen Mother of the Catholics.

Nowadays the old pilgrims have changed into pilgrims, those who maintain the tradition with an offering to the Virgen del Pino. Thousands of Canary Islanders, coming from all over the archipelago, come to Teror at the time when the tides are at their highest.

There, a festive programme awaits them, in which the most deeply-rooted customs stand out, with dances by dozens of folk groups interspersed with music festivals. When 7 September arrives, the flock of sheep that traditionally opens the pilgrimage awakens. Behind, some 20 large groups strive to leave the flag of their locality at the top of this display. The stream of colours crosses the streets of the village to the Calle Real and the Plaza del Pino.

Sleeping in an 18th century building

How to get to Teror?

The municipality of Teror is about 20 kilometres from the capital of Gran Canaria. To get to Teror by car, there are three possible routes:

• Carretera de Teror GC-21 - Currently this route is via the Circunvalación de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, to take the turnoff to the road to Teror, a winding road of approximately 20 kilometres and which takes about 45 minutes to cover.
• Carretera del Norte GC-43 - Go along the coast following the GC-43, and take the exit to the municipality of Arucas, to cross it and reach Teror in a journey of another 21 kilometres, but whose road is more comfortable to drive, so the journey takes only 35 minutes.
• GC-42 road - Take the road from the centre, and when you reach the municipality of San Mateo you can take the GC-42 road which leads to the village of Teror, 40 kilometres away.

If you wish to go to Teror by public transport, you should go to the bus station in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and take the bus n°216, which will take you directly to Teror. This line has a very continuous timetable on working days, with a bus every half hour.