Mount Tindaya is a place that inspires a sense of magic and holiness. The literature and traditions that surround this mountain describe it as a sacred territory for the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands: the Majos.
The name “Tindaya” comes from the Berber language spoken by the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands. It means “those below” and is also linked to the idea of “great mountain” in the Guanche language. The sacred mountain of Tindaya is therefore an important link in the memory and spirituality of the Canary Islands. If you visit Fuerteventura, Tindaya is a must.
Magic Mountain: Tindaya in Fuerteventura
Tindaya, the sacred mountain, is located in the Esquinzo plain, a protected natural area with a total extension of 150 metres and a height of 400 metres above sea level. Occasionally, on a clear day, the Teide (Tenerife) and Pico de las Nieves (Gran Canaria) can be seen. This mountain was a sacred place for the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the Canary Islands, where they performed complex rituals and observed the sky to interpret astronomical events.
As we delve into its history, we discover the enigmatic petroglyphs that decorate its slopes, each one telling a story of the Guanche worldview. These engravings, together with the mountain’s function as an astronomical clock, are fascinating chapters in its long history.
The mysterious petroglyphs of Tindaya
What makes this place so magical? Over the centuries, Mount Tindaya has maintained a sacred aura for a variety of reasons. The rock engravings on the slopes of Tindaya are fascinating elements of its history. These petroglyphs, made by the island’s ancient inhabitants, depict figures and symbols carved into the rock. It is believed that these engravings have profound meanings and may have had an astronomical orientation, suggesting the possible use of Tindaya as an ancient astronomical observatory or place of worship.
Astronomical clock
The arrangement of the engravings along the mountain suggests that Tindaya may have functioned as an astronomical clock for the island’s ancient inhabitants. This theory is supported by the relationship of the engravings to astral rituals believed to have taken place on the mountain. Furthermore, the orientation of the engravings towards other important mountains in the Canary archipelago, such as El Teide and El Pico de las Nieves, underlines their astronomical importance.
After the conquest
After the conquest by the Crown of Castile in 1404, significant changes took place in the culture and religious practices of the Majos, Fuerteventura’s original inhabitants. These changes not only affected religious practices, but also the identity of the island’s inhabitants, who became known as the “New Canarians”. This period reflected the efforts of the conquistadors to eliminate practices that were considered pagan.
A remarkable story from this period is that of the Cueva del Bailadero de las Brujas (Cave of the Witches’ Dancing Place), located at the foot of Tindaya. According to legend, various rituals were performed here, demonstrating the persistence of pre-Hispanic beliefs and practices after the conquest.
In the 18th century, in response to these practices and in an attempt to consolidate the Christian presence on the island, the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad was built at the foot of Tindaya. This construction symbolised the effort to replace the old religious practices with the teachings and rituals of Christianity and to eliminate the pagan practices associated with the mountain.
Cultural monument
The Tindaya mountain is recognised for its archaeological and natural value. In fact, it has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest for its historical and archaeological importance. It has also been declared a Natural Monument and a Point of Geological Interest, which highlights its geological singularity in the landscape of Fuerteventura. It is important to note that Tindaya is also part of the Biosphere Reserve declared by Unesco in May 2009.
Hiking around Tindaya in Fuerteventura
You already know the history of the Sacred Mountain. If you are wondering whether you can visit the Tindaya mountain, you should know that you must apply for a permit from the Environment Department of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura. This can be done at the offices in Puerto de Rosario and Corralejo (Tenencia de Alcaldía). The routes to reach Tindaya and visit its Sacred Mount vary depending on where you start from on the island, but you should always head towards the municipality of La Oliva, in the northwest of the island. Specifically, you need to go to the village of Tindaya, on the southern side of the mountain, where you can stock up for the adventure of climbing the mountain.
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