Garachico was very important to the early commercial development of Tenerife. Due to its deep waters it made an excellent port from which to export local produce. However, a series of natural disasters brought all this to an end.
The first occurred in 1645 as a result of a landslide, which engulfed the town, killing around a 100 people.
If this was not bad enough in 1706 the volcano above the town erupted and two large rivers of lava engulfed the town and flowed into the sea, also ruining the town's status as a port.
The lava that flowed into the sea formed several large rock pools, which are now enjoyed, by visitors and locals alike for bathing in at low tide. The town itself was rebuilt mainly during the 18th Century and has many of its buildings with wooden balconies and cobbled streets intact, which lend it a quiet, cultured air, lacking in other towns on the island.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 November 2007 )
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Garachico 
