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Well-known churches of Puerto de la Cruz |
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Written by Steve Andrews
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 Tenerife with its large population of Catholics has a very large number of churches and chapels, hermitages, monasteries and convents, and many of the buildings have much to recommend them both from the point of view of historic interest, as well as the beauty of their architecture and the religious artworks they contain.
Visitors to the charming resort town of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife north are likely to come upon its churches of which there are three notable ones in the area of the main square and the seafront.
 Near to the Costa Martíanez complex right in front of the sea there is the Hermitage or Chapel of San Telmo, founded in 1780 by the seamen’s guild. It is actually situated on the rock of Caleta and has a pretty garden around it. Often pigeons and doves line the roof or peck about on the paving stones below.
 The Chapel of Saint Elmo is of special importance to the German-speaking residents and tourists in the area because it was renovated with the financial support of the Katholisches Auslandssekreteriat der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz (Committee for Foreign Affairs of the German Bishops’ Conference), following a demand by Germans in 1967 for services in their mother tongue. This chapel holds regular services in German
Away from the sea but within easy walking distance in the heart of Puerto there is the picturesque Iglesia Ntra. Sra. De la Peña de Francia accompanied by the beautiful and peaceful Plaza de la Iglesia. This church with its clock and bell-tower was built in the late 17th century and has many interesting paintings, sculptures and carvings of religious figures.
 Particularly notable are the paintings by Luis de la Cruz as well as images of Saint Peter by Fernando Estévez, along with the Virgen de los Dolores by José Luján Pérez and the Cristo del Gran Poder, an 18th century carving creatd by the Seville School.
 The Virgen del Carmen, in a chapel named after her, is greatly venerated by the devout worshippers of the area. She is the patron of sailors and of Puerto de la Cruz and is carried in a procession to the sea on the 16th of July. Another important and similar procession takes place for Saint Elmo on the Tuesday before the ceremony for the Virgen. These religious events are attended by thousands of local people and visitors to Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz.
The Plaza de la Iglesia with its many graceful palms, dragon trees, exotic flowering shrubs and floral displays is a popular attraction and place for people to relax. In its centre is a fountain in the image of a swan.
Further along Calle Quintana there is all that remains of the former Convent of San Juan Bautista is the Church of San Franciso with its front opening out onto this street. In front of it is a small plaza filled with colourful flowerbeds and a traditional fountain at its heart.
 Once again inside this place of worship there are many holy images and works of religious art including a statue of John the Baptist and a Christ of Miserichord by local artist Domingo Pérez Donis.
Even if you are a non-believer and have no interest in religious matters you can’t help but be impressed by the great beauty of the artwork and architecture in these churches of northern Tenerife. With their nearby plazas they also make excellent places to relax after wandering around or shopping, as well as making wonderful places to take photographs.
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Tenerife Island 
