Betancuria
Betancuria was named and founded by the islands conquerer Jean de Bethencourt in 1904, preserved in the museum of the cathedral is the flag of the conquest, it is still flown each year for the anniversary of Fuerteventura's incorporation into castile,at the time it was the second capital of the canary islands.
On june 14th 1405 it became part of the kingdom of castile and became the first capital of the island and remained so for more than three centurys but in 1812 it became an independent township and in 1834 ceased to be capital of the island, Betancuria is hidden in the heart of the island in a valley surrounded by mountains and has the most dramatic landscape around it.
The first church to be built on the island is that of Santa Maria' it was proclaimed a cathedral in 1424 but was burnt to the ground by pirates in1593 after stealing all the treasures, The church that stands on the site of the original cathedral was re built and was completed in 1691, but it no longer holds the status of a cathedral, due to the lack of money they have not been able to maintain a position of a bishop, it was inhabited by franciscan monks till 1837.
The interior includes lateral alter pieces of neoclassical design, and the main alter is guilded and multi colored in the Baroque style, There is a fine collection of paintings and figurines and a late XV1 century silver shrine thought to be the oldest in the canary islands.
The ruins of a Franciscan convent lie on the outskirts of the village.
On june 14th 1405 it became part of the kingdom of castile and became the first capital of the island and remained so for more than three centurys but in 1812 it became an independent township and in 1834 ceased to be capital of the island, Betancuria is hidden in the heart of the island in a valley surrounded by mountains and has the most dramatic landscape around it.
The first church to be built on the island is that of Santa Maria' it was proclaimed a cathedral in 1424 but was burnt to the ground by pirates in1593 after stealing all the treasures, The church that stands on the site of the original cathedral was re built and was completed in 1691, but it no longer holds the status of a cathedral, due to the lack of money they have not been able to maintain a position of a bishop, it was inhabited by franciscan monks till 1837.
The interior includes lateral alter pieces of neoclassical design, and the main alter is guilded and multi colored in the Baroque style, There is a fine collection of paintings and figurines and a late XV1 century silver shrine thought to be the oldest in the canary islands.
The ruins of a Franciscan convent lie on the outskirts of the village.
The convent of San Buena-Ventura was commissioned by Pope Benedict X111 in 1414 and was the first convent on the island, it was renovated in 1460 but in the 19th century the roof collapsed and it remains the same to day.
The convent church was built with the hermitage of 'San Diego de Alcala' who was buried there,it has a gorge running by the side of it that appears to have once been a stream that runs by the gardens, it is very pretty and well kept, there is a statue of a woman holding a jug that looks up to the road standing in the grounds.
The convent church was built with the hermitage of 'San Diego de Alcala' who was buried there,it has a gorge running by the side of it that appears to have once been a stream that runs by the gardens, it is very pretty and well kept, there is a statue of a woman holding a jug that looks up to the road standing in the grounds.
The Arte sacro museum in the old Parochial House was restored in 1983 and features objects from all the churches on the island, and the Betancura Museum features items of historical and agricultural interest such as the remains of the gaunches
With a population of no more than 550 inhabitants, Betancuria covers an area of 104sq.km,and is 395 meters above sea level, the main economy of Betancuria is based on agriculture and raising of livestock around the main ravines of Betancuria, and of course tourism that has had the most recent impact in economic terms.
With a population of no more than 550 inhabitants, Betancuria covers an area of 104sq.km,and is 395 meters above sea level, the main economy of Betancuria is based on agriculture and raising of livestock around the main ravines of Betancuria, and of course tourism that has had the most recent impact in economic terms.
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