Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion La Laguna Tenerife


The oldest church on the island, with much outstanding craftsmanship, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception represents a landmark in Canarian history and has the status of a Spanish national shrine. Its greatest claim to fame is that the big glazed 16th century baptismal font, brought here from Seville in southern Spain, was used to 'convert' defeated Guanche warriors to Christianity. You'll find it in the baptisterio (baptistery) set to one side of the main entrance, with family trees displayed above. Though much changed since its foundation in 1502, even in those days the church was extraordinarily grand for a far-flung colony, with elaborately carved gilded wooden ceiling panels in Moorish design. Over the centuries, the church benefited from the finest workmanship on the island, its Gothic origins becoming overlaid with Renaissance style and then baroque decoration.

The triple nave church has probably the grandest and richest interior on Tenerife, and rivals any other building in the Canaries. The gold and silver paintwork and metalwork are breathtaking, together with rich retables from the 17th century and later. Immediately obvious on entering the building, the extravagant woodcarving of the 18th century pulpit is considered one of Spain's best examples of this type of work. The choir stalls, too, are beautifully carved.

The eye-catching seven storey tower, dating from the 17th century, has a distinctive Moorish look and is the principal landmark of this historic town.