Tenerife Culture
Architecture
The traditional Architecture of Tenerife has been heavily influenced by that of Spain, particularly Andalucia but also of Portugal.
Fine examples of domestic Canarian Architecture can be found in La Oratova and La Laguna where some old houses still have distinctive pine balconies with overhangs into the street. Some of these houses have fine internal courtyards and gardens.
Commercial and Religious buildings tend to reflect the style of their age. The town centres of Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna and La Oratova all display examples of Baroque and Neo-Classical Architecture. The church of La Conception de La Laguna also displays a subtle mix modernist Architecture.
In the big cities of Santa Cruz and Puerto de La Cruz some of the older style buildings have been replaced with modern buildings such as The Head Quarters building of Caja Canarias which is acknowledged to be of architectural merit.
A number of accredited sculptors have contributed to Canarian Architecture and some of the churches like the Cathedral of Candelaria contain some fine examples.
Cuisine
Canarian cuisine is very simple but full of local flavours which have influenced the traditional dishes, like the sauces called “Mojos”, a word of maybe Portuguese origin.
The best known Mojos are the green which is made with coriander and parsley and the red which is made with Paprika, with quantities of chilli pepper added. There are other Mojos, some made with saffron, cheese and almonds.
Popular fish dishes, Sancochado are usually created with boiled fish seasoned with vinegar, oil, hot peppers and Mojo. Local fish is utilized, including parrot fish, snapper, saupe, mackerel and tuna. Fired Moray eel is another local delicacy and fish stews are very popular thickened with gofio, a flour ground from toasted corn.
Meat dishes are varied but the most popular is “carne de fiesta” which is seasoned chunks of pork, usually served at all the numerous public fiestas. Goat meat and rabbit are also popular local meats usually served with piquant sauces. Most meat dishes are enjoyed with Canarian jacket potatoes which are boiled in highly salted water.
Goats cheese is popular and often served as a starter course, sometimes heavily matured or maybe a milder type of smoked goats cheese.
Desserts are usually very sweet, perhaps made from egg yolks, sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel or ground almonds. Some desserts are also topped with palm honey.
Museums and Art Galleries
The cultural history of Tenerife is captured in displays at the many art galleries and museums, all located in the Santa Cruz area.
The Museum of Man and Nature is a large natural history museum and the Regional Military Museum are both located in Santa Cruz. The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts is also in Santa Cruz displays paintings of the colonial era.
In Puerto de la Cruz there is an Archaeological Museum with Guanche artefact's on display.
La Orotava has Ceramic Museum and also a Museum of Ibero-American Handicrafts.
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