TopARCHITECTURE

Most of the monuments that you can see in Gran Canaria date from the period after the conquest, although it has been possible to preserve certain archaeological sites that relate to the earlier inhabitants of the island. The Gothic architectural style was the first to be introduced into Gran Canaria (in the 15th century), the cathedral of Santa Ana in the capital being an example of the style in question. Gothic-Mudéjar influences can also be found in constructions that date from the 16th century, such as in the church of San Juan Bautista in Telde. The 17th and 18th centuries represented the golden age of the Baroque period, which was also marked by Mudéjar influences. The churches of Santo Domingo and San Telmo in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are examples of this style.

The history of Gran Canaria is apparent in every town and city on the island, revealing itself in representations of the pre-Hispanic period as well as the buildings that reflect the architectural styles of more than five centuries of European history. Here, you will see some of the most contrasting architectural styles in the history of architecture, some of which were clearly inspired by foreign styles, while others were the unmistakable product of the merging of different styles. This short guide covers some of the places that can be visited in each of the island´s towns and cities, places that reveal the history of more recent periods, such as historical districts, architecture, churches and monuments...

TopSCULTURE

The church of San Juan in Telde is one of the major points of reference when in comes to analysing sculpture in Gran Canaria between the 16th and 18th centuries. Some of these sculptures can be found outdoors such as the crucifix (Crucificado), which was sculptured in Mexico or the carved altarpiece both of which are housed in the basilica of the aforementioned municipality of Gran Canaria.

In the era influenced by the Baroque movement, importations from the Indies prevailed. José Luján Pérez (1756-1815) lent his name to the school of the same name (1918), which produced great authors of this century and which gave rise to Canarian identity.

From this trend were born terms such as Indigenismo (indigenous movement), used by Felo Monzón who was later to become the school´s greatest ideological exponent.

The figures based on abstract concepts, which were carefully elaborated with scrap iron and industrial scrap by Tony Gallardo, opened a new stage in the decade of the sixties in the 20th century, an era that precedes contemporary creators such as Martín Chirino, who replaced abstract art with public sculpture and who created the Lady Harimaguada in the capital city of Gran Canaria.

TopPAINTING

The acquisition of Flemish pieces was popular in the 15th and 18th centuries and these can now be admired in the shrine of Las Nieves in Agaete or in the church of San Juan Bautista in Arucas where the Virgin of Guadalupe can be found.

In the 19th century, Manuel Ponce de León was an important figure as was Néstor de la Torre (1887-1938) at the beginning of the 20th century. De la Torre was the island´s best exponent of island symbolism, which he captured in his work, Poema del Atlántico (Poem of The Atlantic). The museum named after him was officially opened in 1956.

In the early decades of the century, many Canarian creators such as Nicolás Massieu y Matos followed the path of the previous century.

The figures based on abstract concepts, which were carefully elaborated with scrap iron and industrial scrap by Tony Gallardo, opened a new stage in the decade of the sixties in the 20th century, an era that precedes contemporary creators such as Martín Chirino, who replaced abstract art with public sculpture and who created the Lady Harimaguada in the capital city of Gran Canaria.