If you’re visiting the capital of Las Palmas you have to visit the cathedral!
The district of Vegueta is the historic centre of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It’s home to the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Ana (also called Santa Iglesia Catedral-Basílica de Canarias), with its twin towers. It’s the seat of the Diocese of the Canary Islands of the Catholic Church, and every 26th November the feast of the dedication of this cathedral is celebrated.
Discover one of the most emblematic buildings in the archipelago, the Cathedral of Las Palmas.
The epicentre of the island's culture
If there’s one thing that characterises this building and makes it even more important, it’s the fact that it was the first church built in the Canary Islands, by order of the Catholic Monarchs after the conquest of the island of Gran Canaria in 1478. For this reason, it’s considered to be the most significant monument of Canarian architecture.
Construction began around 1500, but it wasn’t completed until almost four centuries later. For this, the intervention of different architects and specialised artists was necessary. As a result, up to three architectural styles can still be seen today: Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical.
Not all the details of its original plans are known, but according to what has been studied, its structure is Gothic, with three naves of the same height. Some remarkable pieces of art can be seen here in the cathedral's chapels, some of them statues by the religious sculptor José Luján Pérez.
In the south wing of the cathedral is the Patio de los Naranjos, the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, which exhibits many sacred objects and some interesting paintings.
A walk through the history of the city
From here, we recommend a stroll through the district of Vegueta, as this is an area where you’ll find many of the island's highlights.
Behind Las Palmas Cathedral, between the Plaza del Pilar Nuevo square and the alley that leads to the chapel of San Antonio Abad, you’ll find the Casa de Colón, one of the most authentic buildings in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
It was created from a group of buildings that included the governor's residence, where Christopher Columbus is believed to have lived during his stay on the island.
There’s also the Plaza Santa Ana, with its famous sculptures of dogs of native Canary Island breeds; the Atlantic Museum of Modern Art, and other churches and chapels of great importance in the culture and history of the Canary Islands.
If you go for a stroll around the area, we recommend having a coffee on any of its terraces, a very pleasant way to end a stroll through the most charming neighbourhood in the city.
Opening hours of Santa Ana
If you fancy a visit inside, these are the opening hours of the Catedral de Santa Ana:
Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:30.
Entrance
Admission is €2.40 for adults and free for children.
Discover all the history of the Cathedral of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with Dunas Hotels & Resorts
When you want to do something different from sun and beach, a plan where culture, history, and traditions are present, come to the capital and let yourself be seduced by the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Ana de Canarias.
On your next stay on the island, don't hesitate to stay at our Dunas Hotels & Resorts that we have for you: Suites & Villas by Dunas, Don Gregory by Dunas, Maspalomas Resort by Dunas or Mirador Maspalomas by Dunas. All of them will provide you with the comfort you need to enjoy the history of the island with the Catedral de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
