In 2019 the fourth site on the Canary Islands was awarded the status of a UNESCO world heritage site: Risco Caido and the sacred mountains of Gran Canaria. During our stay on Gran Canaria we went on a search for the pre-Hispanic culture of the island.
The pre-Hispanic history
Prior to the arrival of Spanish conquerors in the 15th century, Gran Canaria was the most populated of the Canary Islands. Therefore there are more pre-Hispanic remains than on any other island. All of the sites are in the mountainous interior. The coastal areas are very dry and thus not very suitable for agriculture. They also do not offer much protection against enemies. That is why the pre-Hispanic people preferred the cliffs and ravines in the interior with their fertile volcanic soil. The UNESCO inscription includes cave-dwellings, granaries, temples and burial sites of the native Canarians (antiguos canarios) of Gran Canaria.
This pre-Hispanic, native population had lived on the Canary Islands for about 2000 years. Much of this time they were isolated from the world and even neighbouring islands. They seem to have evolved from North African Berbers who arrived in the Phoenician and Roman times. Although the settlers brought knowledge about astronomy, agriculture and irrigation from the Mediterranean, they were not navigators or seafarers themselves. And they did not have any contact with the outside, after the Roman Empire collapsed. The ancient Canarians thus had to cope with the limited possibilities and materials on the island. They lived together in tribes. They built round houses and villages, but they also used natural and artificial caves for settling, rituals and burials.
Cave dwellings of Risco Caido
The core of the UNESCO inscription is Risco Caido, a cave structure with more than 20 caves. The aboriginal people possibly used it as an astronomical observatory. First, we make our way up into the mountains to the picturesque village of Artenara, nearly 1300 m above sea level. The newly inscribed caves must be somewhere near Artenara. But we are not sure where exactly and how they are accessible. We bring hiking boots and hope for some insights at the new visitor centre in Artenara.
Most of the artefacts found in Risco Caido are in the museum in the capital, Las Palmas, we learn. On exhibit in the dramatically lit exposition are some pots and necklaces as well as some farming tools. On several screens, videos show the reconstructed life of the people back in the pre-Hispanic time. The highlight of the exhibition is a facsimile of the most stunning cave in Risco Caido. The indigenous people probably used it for fertility cults or astronomical calculations. There are holes in the cave wall through which on certain days the sunlight would filter on the opposite walls, lighting up painted symbols. Archaeologists are still researching the purpose of these light beams and symbols. Unfortunately, the caves themselves are currently closed, it turns out.
The Roque Nublo
The Roque Nublo, the “mountain in the clouds,” is the most impressive rock of the holy formations on Gran Canaria. It is visible from quite afar and looks like a finger pointing into the sky on top of a mountain. Geologically, it is the core of a volcano. While the volcano itself eroded over the years, the solidified lava in the shaft remained in this peculiar shape. Below the Roque Nublo stretches an extensive plateau which the native Canarians used for rituals.
A fairly easy hiking path leads from the nearby parking area up to the plateau. We opt for a longer walk around the Roque Nublo with fantastic views from different angels, before we finally hike up to the plateau. For sport climbers it is possible to climb to the top of Roque Nublo. Otherwise you have to be content with the still impressive view from below the rock needle.
The Roque Bentayga
Another distinctive rock formation, the Roque Bentayga, was also a ceremonial site. Again, there is a good visitor centre that explains how the archaeologists assume the ritual acts may have been conducted. Below the looming rocks the inhabitants had created a plateau with several pits and grooves. They probably used it for sacrificing animals or plants.
There are a lot of man-made caves in the mountain – some of them with traces of paint – but only a few are accessible to the public on a longer hike around the mountain.
Just as impressive – although not officially part of the UNESCO site – was a visit to the museum in Galdar, where we had a fantastic guided tour. The centrepiece is a vast roofed area with the partly excavated remains of a pre-Hispanic settlement. The reconstructed living quarters give a good impression of the living conditions of the aboriginal people. One cave with painted triangles on the walls is separately protected behind glass, but visitors can enter briefly.
When the Spanish arrived on Gran Canaria in the 15th century there was an estimated population of 15000 people living on the island. After the conquest there were only 200 left. The inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage list is an effort to recognize the cultural past of the islands.
Should you visit Risco Caido and the adjacent UNESCO sites?
To be honest, of the UNESCO sites we have visited this was one of the most difficult sites to connect with. The indigenous people had no scripture and most things known about them today were written down by the Spanish conquerors. Archaeologists still do not know much about the use of the sites and caves. Moreover the explanations on site (and in the visitor centres) are accordingly vague. On the other hand, if you like hiking, most of the visits are combinable with good tours in the area. You really need a car to get to most of the sites.
If you liked the post about Risco Caido or are planning a visit to the Canary Islands you might also like our post about the UNESCO-listed town of San Cristobal de la Laguna on Tenerife. Tenerife even has a second UNESCO site, Mt. Teide, at 3718 m the highest mountain in Spain.
NB: Our visit to Gran Canaria was not sponsored in any way. We paid all expenses ourselves.
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There are so much more to see than I saw when we visited the Canary Islands back in… almost 20 years ago 😀 All we did was hang out on the beach and sightsing around on a scooter 🙂
We got to see a taste test of 3 different Canary Islands and each left a great impression on us. We definitely plan to return and should plan to visit Risco Caido. The cave structures would be fascinating to visit. And we would certainly not want to miss the Roque Nublo. Good to know we would need a car and see much of this on hikes.
All right, I’m officially embarrassed. I grew up in Spain and somehow never managed to get to the Canary Islands… clearly that’s something I need to remedy. This all looks fascinating, not the ‘resort vibe’ I had anticipated at all!
This is so interesting – and inspiring! Before the present lockdown, I was so desperate not to be able to go to Asia or Southamerica, hence I planned some island hopping on the Canary Islands…and then even that wasn’t possible anymore. Still, I think it’s a good idea since there is so much more to see than just beaches.
Great post – thanks for that!
I’ve been to Tenerife & Formentera but never Gran Canaria & have to admit that these were for work & a hen do. However, I have heard a lot more recently about the excellent hiking in the islands & as they are easy to reach from the UK (when things open up again…). I am certainly tempted to visit & this area looks really interesting for a hike.
I have traveled in Spain and Tenerife but not to Gran Canaria. Those images and hikes look tempting. There is so much to see in the Canary islands. Waiting for the pandemic to end so we can plan more. 🙂
I’d love to hike here although I must admit I’d be more interested if there were more first hand records, scriptures etc giving a clearer picture of the areas history.
Good to know that Gran Canaria was once upon a time, the most populated of the Canary Islands, and so it would be good to seen Hispanic remains here. The Roque Nublo, the “mountain in the clouds” is really impressive.