Tenerife History Canary Islands Tenerife Spain

map from tyhe island of Tenerife Tenerife aerial view Cathedral at Las Lagunas in Tenerife

Tenerife in the 15th Century divided in to 9 fiefdoms or kingdoms, each with its own king. The Guanches relied on farming, hunting and herding and the majority lived in caves. Tribal hostilities existed between most of the inhabitants, but the invasion by the Conquistadors provided the Guanches with a common enemy. Warfare and massacres lasted for almost one century and in the end, the Guanches were sold off wholesale into a life of slavery. Strangely enough, in 1434 Pope Eugene IV's papal bull established a complete prohibition on selling the natives of the Canary Islands into slavery, and in 1511, an order was signed for the release of any Guanches still in captivity.

In 1536, Pedro Fernandez de Lugo who was the second Captain General of the canary Islands, set sail with 1,500 men to conquer South America, and in 1657, the English Admiral Robert Blake attacked Santa Cruz with the intention of capturing the Spanish fleet and its cargo, but failed in his attempt.

Between 1704 and 1706 there were several major volcanic eruptions, the main one being responsible for the near destruction of the town of Garachico on the north coast of Tenerife. 1792 saw a Royal Decree by King Charles IV ordering The La Laguna University to be founded, and in 1797 Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson lost his arm in the sea battle outside the port of Santa Cruz.

In 1821, The General Courts awarded Santa Cruz de Tenerife the title of capital of the province of the Canary Islands. A title it maintained until 1927. On the 6th December 1883, a cable sent from Cadiz to Santa Cruz was received; it was the first telegram ever to be sent to the Canary Islands.

1893 saw hundred of islanders die from a cholera epidemic that was brought to the island by the Italian vessel El Remo. It was the fourth outbreak recorded during that century, and more death and destruction was caused when in 1909, there was another majestic eruption from mount Teide that lasted for 10 days.

In 1927, the military junta divided the Canary Islands into two regions and Santa Cruz de Tenerife lost its status it was awarded in 1821. General Franco who in 1936 was the Captain General of the Canary Islands, rose up against the Government and triggered the Spanish Civil War, and in 1941, Los Rodeos airport was opened. It is situated close to La Laguna and Santa Cruz, and was the main airport on Tenerife prior to the construction of Reina Sofia airport, which was built close to the new tourist resorts that were being developed along the south and west coasts.

Tenerife - The History of Tenerife
Tenerife in the 15th Century divided in to 9 fiefdoms or kingdoms, each with its own king. The Guanches relied on farming, hunting and herding and the majority lived in caves. Tribal hostilities existed between most of the inhabitants, but the invasion by the Conquistadors provided the Guanches with a common enemy. Warfare and massacres lasted for almost one century and in the end, the Guanches were sold off wholesale into a life of slavery. Strangely enough, in 1434 Pope Eugene IV's papal bull established a complete prohibition on selling the natives of the Canary Islands into slavery, and in 1511, an order was signed for the release of any Guanches still in captivity. In 1536, Pedro Fernandez de Lugo who was the second Captain General of the canary Islands, set sail with 1,500 men to conquer South America, and in 1657, the English Admiral Robert Blake attacked Santa Cruz with the intention of capturing the Spanish fleet and its cargo, but failed in his attempt. Between 1704 and 1706 there were several major volcanic eruptions, the main one being responsible for the near destruction of the town of Garachico on the north coast of Tenerife. 1792 saw a Royal Decree by King Charles IV ordering The La Laguna University to be founded, and in 1797 Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson lost his arm in the sea battle outside the port of Santa Cruz. In 1821, The General Courts awarded Santa Cruz de Tenerife the title of capital of the province of the Canary Islands. A title it maintained until 1927. On the 6th December 1883, a cable sent from Cadiz to Santa Cruz was received; it was the first telegram ever to be sent to the Canary Islands. 1893 saw hundred of islanders die from a cholera epidemic that was brought to the island by the Italian vessel El Remo. It was the fourth outbreak recorded during that century, and more death and destruction was caused when in 1909, there was another majestic eruption from mount Teide that lasted for 10 days. In 1927, the military junta divided the Canary Islands into two regions and Santa Cruz de Tenerife lost its status it was awarded in 1821. General Franco who in 1936 was the Captain General of the Canary Islands, rose up against the Government and triggered the Spanish Civil War, and in 1941, Los Rodeos airport was opened. It is situated close to La Laguna and Santa Cruz, and was the main airport on Tenerife prior to the construction of Reina Sofia airport, which was built close to the new tourist resorts that were being developed along the south and west coasts.