El Calvario is a district that is born and takes shape on the outskirts of the town by the lands which were owned by the Román Family, where the Hacienda de los Román, Calvario and the Hermitage of Saint Louis (17th century) were built. If we look around, we can imagine the Festivities in honour of Saint Louis, which soak the streets of the district with their scent and which accompany their traditional “Baile del Remango” to the sound of the feasts on August nights.
Las Manchas Lookout
Santa Úrsula has charming places, which will make all visitors enjoy fantastic day trips, such as the La Mancha Trail. The road is paved and for most of the route is flanked by stone walls and partly by steel railings. From this trail you have a panoramic view of the entire coast of La Orotava; you can see the beaches of Ancón, Los Patos and Bollullo, which can also be accessed, and also Puerto de la Cruz and Los Realejos. Halfway along you can also see the “Charco del Negro”, a natural pool at the base of the cliff.
Festivities of the May Cross
This custom has always been linked to the Calvario de San Luis, where three portentous crosses stand in this old enclosure. They are the first vestige of this symbolism which is found in the municipality, and which are the first worship to this iconography. Later, with the construction of the main road and the loss of the processional routes to the El Calvario, this tradition spread to other places such as the social district of La Vera. (More information)
Festivities in honour of Saint Louis King of France of El Calvario
They have their origin in the construction of the hermitage of Saint Louis in the year 1680. This festival has changed over the centuries until it became the one we know today, which began to be celebrated around the middle of the 20th century with a rich set of recreational activities, which today constitute a spectacular festive agenda. When these modern festivals began, they were celebrated in the last week of August, on the day closest to the feast of the saint (August 25), but for logistical reasons they were moved to the first week of August without losing their attraction despite the passage of the years. (More information)
The Remango Dance
Among the oldest customs of Santa Úrsula, the Remango Dance is a highlight – a tradition that takes place in our town within the framework of the San Luis festivities, which has its origin in the Calvario district. The Camino Real, an old road that connected the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with the extreme north-west, Buenavista del Norte, passed through there, and on through all the population centres in the north of Tenerife.
A fountain existed here that originated in La Corujera, forming large pools on the road, where pilgrims stopped to cool off next to El Calvario and let their animals drink. To cross the pond to continue on their way, they rolled up their clothes and danced through the water before continuing on their way to the capital. (More information)
The House “Casa de la Portuguesa” (Casa Verde – The Green House)
The “Casa de la Portuguesa” or “Casa Verde”, an Historic Monument since 2007, is a British colonial-style building of which there are few examples on the island. It was acquired by the Santa Úrsula City Council in 2010 to be restored and now houses the youth centre. It possesses a wonderful façade with a beautifully decorated main entrance. Today, the facility hosts exhibitions, activities, conferences and other events. (More information)
The Mansion of San Luis
The Mansion of San Luis, also known as Hacienda de San Luis, is located on the square of that same name. It is over 150 years old and is located in front of “El Calvario” and next to the Hermitage of Saint Louis. The mansion has a typical Canary architecture and two floors of just over 220 square meters each, which have been converted to become a cultural centre, which hosts all kinds of activities inside and outside. (More information)
El Calvario
A “calvary” is a place typical in Europe and America, located on the village outskirts and is usually marked with crosses that correspond to the stations of the Way of the Cross. It is here that since the beginning of the 17th century the prayers of the Way of the Cross and processions of the parish of Saint Ursula, Virgin and Martyr were held, in particular the procession of the Holy Burial. It is a typical Canary place where, until recently, paintings of Our Lady of Piety were housed next to a lantern that was lit every Friday of the year. (More information)
The hermitage of Saint Louis, King of France
On December 6th of 1679 Don Luis Román, lawyer at the Provincial Court and devotee of Saint Louis IX, King of France, requested the Bishopric of the Canary Islands to build a hermitage in a place known as the «Sarsales» with the door facing the main road. The corresponding license was granted immediately, and construction got under way. On June 11th of 1680 construction was completed, and it was opened for the public with the Beneficiary of Santa Úrsula in charge and with a provision on the part of Luis Román to pay for his transfer and service, especially in the San Luis Festivities every 25th of August. (More information)
