Tazacorte - popular tourist resort in the west
Divided into a coastal town (puerto) and a slightly higher part (pueblo), Tazacorte is both the youngest (independent in 1925) and the smallest municipality in terms of area in La Palma. Nevertheless, with about 5.800 inhabitants, it is not that small for La Palma and with its beach and the newly built marina it is one of the most popular destinations on our island.
At the car-free beach promenade it sits and eats well in many small restaurants and cafés, the sandy beach offers very good to hardly protected bathing possibilities on approximately one kilometer length and who did not come with the own sail boat, can undertake from here with one of the most different guest boats a trip on the Atlantic Ocean. Encounters with dolphins are almost guaranteed and whales will also be seen by most visitors.
The name'Tazacorte' is often mistakenly translated as short cup' (which might well be an indication of the shape of the bay) - in reality, however, the place got its name from the Guanche chief Tazo, who fell during the conquest by the Spaniards on 29 September 1492. However, his name lives on, Tazacorte actually means'The court of Tazo.
The bay of Tazacorte, from where the conquest of the island by the Spanish began in 1492
At Time, the natives (Guanches) had once set up a guard to ensure that the conquerors were duly received and initially lost.
The Plaza, redesigned in Moorish style…
.... with promenades …
... and nice places for coffee and food.
Even the town hall uses the typical Moorish colouring and is decorated by…
...a well…
... decorated with waterworks.
Besides picturesque alleys, Tazacorte is the starting point for…
... Whalewatching trips (here a Bryde whale) …
... and encounters with dolphins (here a spotted dolphin) …
... who with their playful…
... ballet…
... charm…
... and look at us curiously.
Caldera de Taburiente
The famous Caldera is the heart of the national park and a must for all La Palma visitors.
Caldera means 'cettle' - with ist 6 km diameter, the Caldera de Taburiente is a truly great kettle!
Protected by steep mountain slopes it offered good protection from time immemorial - against winds from almost all directions, as well as once the Spanish conquerors.
ts dense forests attract hikers from all over the world and offer pleasant coolness even in midsummer.
Due to large temperature differences between the sunlit rock faces and the sweeping north-east trade wind, often rapidly changing weather phenomena can be observed.
Thus the Cumbre carries from time to time a white decoration, while at the entrance of the Caldera cacti and tropical fruits prosper
Inside the erosion crater thrives the Canary pine, an endemic species whose indestructible wood can be found in almost all of the island's historic houses.
Water-bearing streams provide lush green all year round
The Cumbrecita forms the southern boundary of the caldera and is easily accessible by car for a shorter hike.
© 2012 by Bernd y Nadja Blume. Copias de los textos o fotos, igual que sean digital o imprimido sólo son permitido con la licencia por escrito de los autores.
