History

The area on which now stands the city and the municipality of San Cristobal de La Laguna has been inhabited since the Guanches time, approximately 2000 years ago, as attested by the archaeological sites found.

San Cristobal de la Laguna was founded on the edge of the lagoon old Aguero.  It was made the capital of Tenerife after completion of the conquest of the islands. Founded between 1496 and 1497 by the Adelantado Alonso Fernandez de Lugo it was the residence of some general and captain of the Cabildo of Tenerife, to be located inside the island and thus free from pillaging pirates.

The city was formed gradually in the early centuries, settling in the aristocracy and the elitism of the era, as well as religious power. La Laguna was the cradle in this age of enlightenment in the Canaries.  Following the forests around the lake, the rain moved the soil erosion down, blinding most of the lake and turning it into the fertile plain known as Vega Lagunera.

Over the years the city was losing population and economic weight with respect to its port, the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The lake became completely dry and no longer exists. Since the city lost its capital status it went into a long-delayed development compared to Santa Cruz, until the mid-twentieth century began and an era of unstoppable urban development occurred.  Particularly in neighborhoods and especially without affecting the historic area.

As a side note of interest, when Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops lay siege to Cadiz (1810), during the War of Independence, the courts of that city sent a message by moving the capital of the Canary Islands.  Following that message, they met in the gardens of the Board Nava Supreme Canaries, with the aim of governing the territories still occupied by the French (the Canaries and the American colonies, as well as Philippines).

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria formed a similar body, the Standing Cabildo. As I recall it, it is a small square in the town called The Board of Supreme Plaza, and it stood until 2006 However, the French troops did not take the Cadiz Cortes and resume its work of government. In 2007 the City Council chaired by Ana Oramas (Coalicion Canaria), in his campaign pedestrianization the historical city, changed the floor of the Plaza of the Supreme Board, removing the stone in the process.

Around 1850, San Cristobal de La Laguna absorbed the then independent municipalities Tejina, Punta del Valle de Guerra and Hidalgo.