Do you believe in magic? Tindaya in Fuerteventura is a place that will surely make you believe in it. You should not miss this enigmatic place if you visit the island. All the history that surrounds this mountain indicates it as a sacred site for the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands.
If you want to know everything about the magic of Tindaya in Fuerteventura, be sure to read the following article on the Lopesan Group Blog.
Montaña Mágica: Tindaya in Fuerteventura
The Montaña Sagrada or Tindaya in Fuerteventura is a protected natural territory, located in the Esquinzo Plain of 150 meters long. It is approximately 400 meters high, from its top you can see the highest points of Tenerife, El Teide, and Gran Canaria, the Pico de las Nieves.
Its name in the culture Guanche, relative to the ancient inhabitants of the island, means “Big Mountain”. For the pre-Hispanic Canarian inhabitants, Tindaya in Fuerteventura was a sacred site, since at its top they created a kind of open-air temple, where they performed all kinds of rituals. With these rites they invoked the rain or predicted astrological phenomena. However, throughout history this place has kept its sacred name for different reasons.
History and legend of Tindaya
What makes this place so magical? Why do they keep its sacred name? Like any monument, there is a story before and after.
We are going to answer these questions, understanding the role that the mountain of Tindaya had in Fuerteventura from different historical periods to the present day.
Astronomical clock
Los Majos, an ancient indigenous population of Fuerteventura, created more than 300 rock carvings on the Sacred Mountain. These podomorphic drawings or carved feet have an extension of 18 to 35 cm approximately, which gives an incredible archaeological value to the site.
The interesting thing about these engravings is that their meaning is not entirely clear, what is known is that they have a striking position in all its extension.
Let us remember that Tindaya in Fuerteventura functioned as a kind of astronomical clock, where there were predicted astrological phenomena such as solstices and climatic changes according to the seasons. Some historians have linked the arrangement of the engravings with the astral rites that were practiced on the top of the mountain.
Another curious fact is that the position of the podomorphic engravings point towards the direction of the top of the other two mountains: El Teide and El Pico de las Nieves. In this way, we could understand part of the sacred or magical meaning that is given to Tindaya in Fuerteventura, since, not only is it a kind of astral clock, but it served as a guide or map.
After the Conquest
The island of Fuerteventura was conquered by the Crown of Castile in 1404. For this reason, the indigenous population came to be known as New Canaries, and all kinds of sacred practices or rites were eliminated as they were considered pagan activities.
Moreover, legend has it that at the foot of the Tindaya in Fuerteventura, there is a cavity known as the Bailadero de las Brujas. In this place different types of rites were performed. For this reason, in the eighteenth century,was created at the foot of the Sacred Mountain the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad to drive away pagan practices from the place.
Cultural monument
Currently, the Tindaya in Fuerteventura is recognized as a Cultural Monument and a Point of Geological Interest by the Canary Government because of its history. Therefore, the preservation and conservation of the mountain is important for the inhabitants of the island.
The famous Basque artist, Eduardo Chillida, created an ambitious project to pierce the mountain inside and out, but it was ultimately unsuccessful for various reasons. There is currently a great consensus among the different public entities to preserve the natural heritage of Fuerteventura de Tindaya, respecting its podomorphic engravings and its natural structure. The government of Fuerteventura wants to propose the natural monument as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hiking through Tindaya in Fuerteventura
As you already know the history of the Sacred Mountain, if you want to visit the place you can get from the town of La Oliva by vehicle to this spectacular place. Its striking plain and warm climate make it a place worth discovering.
We recommend that, if you are going hiking in Fuerteventura through Tindaya, you take it easy because remember that they are 400 meters high. In this route there is almost no flora or vegetation, so it can be a demanding walk if you do not prepare well. A plus point is that the route is well guided and delimited to prevent you from getting lost.
On the way, you will discover the podomorfos of Tindaya and the cavity known as El Bailadero de las Brujas. Also, although little, vegetation here is special and unusual like the jorja flower with its shape like that of a sunflower.
Visit Fuerteventura
The island of Fuerteventura is known for its beautiful beaches, but it also hides other wonderful corners such as the magical mountain of Tindaya. In addition, near it there are two routes that take you to the beautiful sea of the island. About 7 km from Tindaya you can reach several cliffs and beaches such as Los Caletones, Playa de Esquinzo and Playa del Cotillo. If you choose the northwest route, you will reach emblematic beaches such as Jarugo, La Mujer and Tebeto.
So, if you are looking for a hotel in Fuerteventura to get to know all these wonderful places, at the Lopesan Group we offer you accommodation deals so that you can easily enjoy your getaway to places as magical as Tindaya in Fuerteventura.
Visit us to be part of your adventures!
