SAN TELMO PARK LAS PALMAS

A shady square full of tall palms and benches, this park is famous for its kiosk cafe, decorated in modernista style with ceramic tiles from Manises, and for its charming small church, the Ermita de San Telmo (patron saint of fishermen). The church, decorated with a little Canarian balcony, was rebuilt in the 17th century after destruction by Dutch pirates. Inside, there is a fine artesonado ceiling and a baroque retablo. On the west side of the park, a stern neoclassical building guarded by soldiers is the headquarters of the Spanish army in the Canary Islands.

It was from here that General Franco announced his opposition to the Republican government on 18 July 1936 and broadcast a rallying call to his troops, thus beginning the Spanish Civil War from which he emerged the victor in 1939. A bus terminus and taxi stand make this park an important communications point.