Where is Puerto de la Cruz located ?
To understand where Puerto de la Cruz is, you need to find the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, on a map. There, in the northern Orotava Valley, Puerto de la Cruz is the island's sixth largest city. The capital of the island, Santa Cruz, is no more than 37km away, and Los Rodeos airport is less than 25km away.
The coastline of the city is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the vicinity are towering mountain ranges. The cool water and the healing mountain air have defined the peculiarities of local life - unhurried and thoughtful. That's why the resort is favored by solid tourists who prefer easy promenades and short excursions to new places.
Population of Puerto de la Cruz is approximately 32,500 people. And the vast majority are indigenous to the city. Among them, by the way, are well-known rock musicians Michael Weikath (of the band Helloween) and Endry Deris (owner of Mi Sueno Studios).
A little history of Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is believed to have been founded in the 17th century. But it was then known as the port of the community of La Orotava. In 1603, the fishing village acquired its own church and main square.
About 50 years later, when wine production turned the town into a solid center of commerce, Philip IV, then king of Spain, recognized the village as a separate community. In 1706, fate changed the town's life abruptly. The eruption of the volcano Teide, leveled the nearest port town Garachico. All its functions and part of the population was transferred to Puerto. It was not until 1808 that it left La Orotava and was proudly named Puerto de la Cruz.
By the end of the century, vacationing in the city was "tasted" by wealthy Englishmen. Local entrepreneurs immediately responded to the influx of aristocracy from misty Albin. For the first time was built a hotel (Grand Hotel Taoro), remodeled the old mansions Monopol and Marquesa. However, the city's prosperity was replaced by stagnation during the First and Second World Wars.
The resort's revival began in the middle of the last century. Now a simpler crowd, but in much larger numbers, began to flock to the resort. This spurred the development of the tourist infrastructure. By the 80s of the XX century, the city became the main resort of the island. But over time, the southern parts of Tenerife were equipped for recreation, and the main flow of tourists was redirected there. Now Puerto de la Cruz is the second most important resort on the island, which is still mostly visited by older British and Germans.
