History & Surroundings
Guayedra is located in Tamadaba Natural Park
Surroundings
Redondo de Guayedra is a 100% natural resort, in an area that has been named the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve. It is five kilometres from the nearest town, Agaete. The EcoResort complex is located on 52 million m2 of land in the heart of nature, where every action is taken with respect for the surroundings and working to restore what had deteriorated over time.
Guayedra is located in Tamadaba Natural Park, possibly the most well-preserved area of Grand Canary Island in terms of the natural and rural landscapes. Its slopes, which were once home to lush forests, now show the traces of pastures and crops, creating a landscape that falls somewhere between natural and rural. The pine forests that flank the valley surround steep slopes and ravines with small oases of Canary palms, Mt. Atlas mastic trees and fruit trees, among which we find old houses, threshing floors, ponds, irrigation channels and even the archaeological remains of the island’s first inhabitants.
A majestic setting with the Tamadaba Massif towering above and Roque Faneque dropping over 1,000 metres down to the sea, considered one of the highest cliffs in the world. Guayedra Valley ends at the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by two impressive beaches that are quite different and have very few people: Sotavento and Guayedra.
History
The history of Guayedra is marked by the fact that it is the only region in the Canary Islands that preserved its own indigenous civilisation, outside the authority of the Kingdom of Castile. Redondo de Guayedra was set aside by Tenesor Semidán (later known as Fernando Guanarteme) as an independent territory through an agreement with the Catholic Monarchs in early 1483.
Today
This area of Grand Canary Island still has echoes of that time, in its homes, caves, century-old plant species and other traces of those Canarios who wanted to continue living life according to their customs and traditions.
Archaeological sites
Several archaeological sites attest to this and are one reason most of this area has been named a Cultural Interest Asset, protecting its unique historical value to the Canary Islands.
Redondo de Guayedra
Today is a slice of heaven where you can respectfully enjoy what has been here for several hundred years.
