VISIT

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As the city´s main street, the Calle Real of Santa Cruz de La Palma is home to of the island´s most impressive architecture and historically has formmed the comercial heart of the city, lined with market stalls in front of the houses, wich can be accesed directly from the outside. The street also hosts some of the city´s most important public events.

Traditional street performances over the Christmas period (rondallas de Lo Divino), Easter proccessions and other celebrations such as the Santa Cruz Festival (in May) the parading of the City´s patron saint (Bajada de la Virgen de Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves) or the landing of The Indianos (Desembarco de Los Indianos) celebrated every Monday during Carnival are all held in this street.

Travellers, artists and photographers have always been drawn to the unique charm or this street, wich seems to be fairly regularly laid out, attempting to trace a straighit line from the north to the south of the city.

One of the most detalled descriptions of the Calle Real was penned by the lawyer and economist Benigno Carballo Wanguëmert (1826-1864) who, in his book “Las Afortunadas: Viaje descriptivo a las Islas Canarias” (Madrid, 1862) wrote:

“…a most handsome street, for its impressive lenght, the beauty of its buildings, all with two stories, its paving, ample pavements and design, it is here where all trade in the city takes place, except for a few grocery stores dotted around the sorrounding neighborhoods. During the day, the street is a lively mass of people who descend on Santa Cruz from all over the island to gather supplies mixing with farmers laden with fruits and vegetables, whose constant ferrying of godds dow to the store houses for export only adds to the bustling, vibrant atmosphere.”