Santa Cruz was always an open and commercial city, a rich city that had its own Court of the Indies (to resolve trading disputes with the American colonies) much before the other capitals of the archipelago. This small town, founded by the Castilians in 1493, quickly won fame as the most attractive trading port of the Canaries and one of the most important centres of economic and cultural wealth in Spain.   

This can clearly be seen in the town's rich architectural and artistic heritage, making Santa Cruz one of the most beautiful treasures of the archipelago. A long and narrow town with a Portuguese influence, (there was an important Portuguese colony during its early centuries of existence), situated right on coast and home to some spectacular buildings. Urban planning later saw the addition of parallel and perpendicular streets (within the boundaries presented by the surrounding mountains) to create the city that we see today, a city that has survived fires, tremors of the earth and pirate attacks from all corners of the globe. Despite all this, Santa Cruz de La Palma has stayed true to its style. 

An artistic city

This small town initially acquired its wealth through the exportation of sugar, and later of wine. The cultivation of palm trees led to a busy stream of commercial traffic between both sides of the Atlantic coast, bringing capital and a great many art works. There are some first class art works and paintings on offer in this small city and many of the parishes or well-to-do families are the proud owners of a sculpture, reredos or painting by a famous Flemish artist. This taste for aesthetic beauty can also be seen in the urban development of the city, with its carefully looked after streets, finely constructed buildings and secluded squares and walkways where it is all too easy to lose track of time. Pretty stones and fine woods are the main materials on show in the Real and O´Daly streets, the two traditional urban throughways where the town's most important buildings can be found. Renaissance, baroque, neoclassical and a touch of gothic come together to form a series of highly important historical-artistic monuments which are a true delight to the senses. All this is completed by the warm hospitality of the local people who are happy in the knowledge that they live in one of the loveliest corners of the world.

Essential visits

Town hall.- According to art historians in the Canaries, this is the finest example of a renaissance-style civil building in the whole archipelago. On the outside of the building,  the classical style and stonework that graces the second layer of the façade is of particular note and shows of the some of the best heraldry found in the Canaries. Inside, the highlights include the patio and the fine wooden floors and ceilings.     
Location: Calle O´Daly

Parroquia de El Salvador and Plaza de España.- Despite being built at the end of the 15th century, the work that can be admired today dates from the second half of the following century, and all that remains of the original building is the gothic ribbed vault in the vestry. This triple-naved basilica is a jewel of the renaissance period and its tower and classical façade are particularly spectacular. It presides over the Plaza de España, historically known as the Plaza Principal, a square that also houses two other important monuments: the Escalinata renaissance fountain and the Casa Monteverde.
Location: Plaza de España

Parroquia de San Francisco.- This church was initially a Franciscan monastery built under the orders of  Juana de Castilla (known as Juana 'la loca' - 'mad Juana' ) at the beginning of the 16th century. An important part of La Palma's architectural heritage, it has a clear renaissance influence and offers one of the best Mudejar coffered ceilings in the Canaries. 
Location: Plaza de San Francisco

Casas de los Balcones (the Balcony Houses).- These houses lend themselves perfectly to a picture postcard from the capital of La Palma. Situated in the Avenida Marítima, this group of houses is a magnificent example of popular Canarian architecture and shows the traditional use of wood on the houses' façades. The brightly coloured buildings are adorned with wonderful wooden balconies of up to two stories high.
Location: Avenida Marítima
 
Santa Catalina Castle.- Like the rest of the Canarian capitals on the coast, Santa Cruz de La Palma had a defence system in place to minimise the damage caused by the countless pirate attacks it was subjected to between the 15th and 18th centuries. Building began on this modest military fort shortly after the end of the conquest, but it was destroyed by a flood in 1655 and later needed serious modification. These days, the castle is square and finished with diamond-shaped bastions on each corner. It was made a national monument in 1951
Location: Avenida Marítima

Salazar Palace.- This is one of the most striking examples of the fine architecture that can be admired in Santa Cruz de La Palma. This large, mid 17th century house, exemplifies a perfect use of the highly artistic styles of the time and is an unmistakable expression of wealth and political importance. Its façade is made entirely of stone and the magnificent renaissance entrance, with its classical touches, is particularly impressive. Inside, the visitor can admire its Mudejar coffered ceilings and the wonderful wooden floors and patio, one of the best preserved in the city. These days, the building is administrated by the Island's Tourism Office.  
Location: Calle O´Daly

The ship of the Virgin.- Built in the 1940s, this reproduction of the Santa María Ship (one of Columbus' three vessels) has become icon of the city. Inside it houses an interesting maritime museum showing models of other vessels, valuable nautical charts and navigational objects which are appropriate reminders of the maritime nature of Palma's capital. 
Location: Avenida de la Bajada