La Gomera

An island characterised by its central massif which reaches a height of 1,487 meters and drops steeply to the sea. Because of its intense natural beauty, the region of Alto de Garajonay has been declared a National Park and must surely rank as one of Spain's greatest natural treasures.

Particularly interesting are the ancient and very original popular customs. In order to overcome the problem of distance and remoteness, the inhabitants of the valleys use a language that comprises mostly of whistling to communicate with each other.

Although this language has been compared to the "yodling" of Central European Alps, its purpose is completely distinct.

Since the arrival of the Europeans, La Gomera has witnessed a colourful history.

Its name is the product of a legend that reaches back in time to the biblical age of a son of Jafet, himself was a son of Noah, named Gomer.

The island was known of by the Phoenicians and was quoted about by classical authors such as Pliny and Ptolemy, who called the island Pluvialia, island without rivers, where the only water is provided by rainfall.

La Gomera entered western history in the 15th century with the arrival of the conquistadores. Before that, in 1492 and on his way on a journey into the unknown, Christopher Columbus stopped in the bay of San Sebastián, where the island's capital is located.

Since this period, Gomerans have called their island the Isla Colombina, in reference to this famous visit. The Tower del Conde, the Church of La Asunción, where members of the expedition and their mission were blessed, and the Well of the Aguada, which all still exist, were witness to the presence on the island of the discoverers of America.

More information: http://www.gomera-island.com/

Routes and Places worth a Visit

The mountainous interior of La Gomera is a wild region that, on first sight, appears to be a throwback to ancient times when forests covered everything, green, still and full of life. This is the natural parkland of Garajonay that has not only been provided with protection status by Spain but has been declared as part of the Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO.

There are hundreds of species of plants and trees of which the Laurel is one of the rarest anywhere in the world. Up amongst the highest part of the island, there are several view points from which you feel as if you could almost touch the sky.

Valley of the Great King. This extensive valley, which commemorates the last kind of the original islanders before the arrival of the conquisadores, is breathtaking in its scope. Its haunting beauty evokes images of times long gone whilst watching the setting sun from the Playa del Inglés at the foot of the valley remains one of the most unforgettable experiences of any visit to the Canary Islands.

Important Fiestas

San Sebastian de la Gomera: 20th of January is the fiesta of San Sebastian. The 6th of September is when the islanders remember the voyage of destiny by Christopher Columbus.