Hermitage of Saint Vincent Martyr

At the beginning of the 17th century the bubonic plague beset the north of Tenerife. The local inhabitants prayed for divine protection from which arose Saint Vincent as their protector. To prove their gratitude they built the chapel next to the “Calvario” on land donated by the island’s ruler Juan de Gordejuela.

The building made with broad masonry walls and simple timber ceilings is remarkable for its dimensions. The stone arch on its facade and the bellgable are its most characteristic elements. In its interior are remarkable wall paintings in the front part, a colourful, 18th century altar-piece and a dressed statue of the name giving saint also from that century. There are also two interesting paintings: A Calvary that is attributed to the Flemish painter Hendrick van Balen and an Immaculate Conception from the 18th century Madridan school.

A deeply ingrained devotion has existed throughout the centuries since in 1609 inhabitants, clergy and authorities promised to celebrate the martyr Saint’s festivity every January 22nd by means of a vow signed by them. In spite of the vicissitudes of history, the feast has not stopped being celebrated. A special year was 2009 when the fourth centenary was celebrated, a year declared Jubilee Year by the Holy See.