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After leaving San Sebastián and taking the TF-711 road north, the first village the traveller meets is Hermigua. It is triangular in shape and situated between the bed of a ravine of the same name and the sea. Together with Agulo, it was the original canton of Mulagua. After the conquest of the island, Hermigua was colonised at a very early stage. Its excellent conditions for sugarcane plantations, its proximity to the capital town and the existence of a loading dock for ships were decisive for its growth. The first inhabitants were concentrated in the upper valley (Valle Alto), where the church and convent of Santo Domingo were built between 1515 and 1520. The down part of the valley (Valle Bajo) was colonised later, around 1650, when the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación was built. Nowadays it has over 2.000 inhabitants scattered over 19 neighbourhoods, from El Cedro y Los Aceviños, in the border with Garajonay National Park about 800 metres over sea-level, to Santa Catalina y Los Pedacitos, in the very coast line.
Hermigua is well known for its climate. Under the influence of the Trade Winds, temperatures hardly ever go below 18⁰C in winter and over 27⁰C in summer. According to a study done at the beginning of the 20th century by international meteorologists, it has "the best climate in the world".
The economy in Hermigua has always been based on agriculture. First it was the sugarcane, followed by the cochineal and vineyards; more recently, banana plantations, which are currently the main source of wealth for the village. Nowadays rural tourism is getting more and more important, to the extent that Hermigua offers 40% of the total rural accommodation in the island. It has some of the finest rural hotels, houses and bungalows which, together with its natural and privileged beauty are its most attractive feature to lure visitors. As most villages on the island, Hermigua is very keen on its traditional festivals, which take place all the year round: san José, Santo Domingo and Santa Catalina are some of the most enjoyable ones.
Web Ayuntamiento Hermigua: http://www.hermigua.org |
