UNDER THE SPELL OF TAMADABA

Along the route, we will find endemic vegetation such as the Kleinia neriifolia, locally known as veroles and other plant species such as the Canary broom. We will also find small water springs flowing down the walls of the cliffs from where we will make our descent. The protected area of the pine forest known as Pinar de Tamadaba, the cave- houses of Fagajesto and the valley of the Valle de Agaete are some of the most interesting spots in this area.

Fagajesto is the name given to the group of houses located between Montaña Gorda and Lomo el Palo. The cave-houses scattered around are very distinctive and picturesque of this area where the land is predominantly used for farming and livestock. There are still many shepherds around who look after their sheep, get fresh milk to make homemade cheeses, and still practice transhumance, which consists in moving their cattle to the highlands with the changing of seasons, looking for the best grounds for their animals to graze. This area was known as the island's granary in the 18 th and 19 th centuries because of its cereal cultivation.

The "Sao de Agaete" is a place between natural cliffs and small water springs which we will reach by climbing up the valley of the Valle de Agaete. There, we will find 3 of the most important mills that existed in this area where up to 1,200 kg of wheat, barley and millet could be grinded in one single day. We will still be able to see their original structures from the beginning of the 20 th century, as they remain abandoned nowadays due to their difficult access and new population centres being established in other parts of the island.

The famous spas of Los Berrazales became an important focal point for residents and tourists who came in search of the famous waters with healing powers of this area. Many healing qualities have been linked to the waters that emanate from the springs of the island, and "Los Berrazales" is one of them. Several spas were built and people went there looking to heal their skin problems. This gave the area a lot of movement between the end of the 19 th century and the beginning of the 20 th century. In 1912, several landslides led to the construction in a nearby area of the so-called Health Hotels and the Guayarmina Hotel, where tourists could stay and then go to the spa to continue benefiting from the healing waters.

This is how the valley of the Valle de Agaete is also known, at the foot of the impressive cliffs of Tamadaba, where the San Pedro and La Vecindad de Enfrente neighbourhoods are located. On the eve of the San Pedro festivity, there is a special celebration traditionally known as the rama chica, the small branch, in which all the neighbours actively participate, and the patron saint is traditionally carried in procession by the elders.
The neighbouring village, known as the "Vecindad de Enfrente", which literally means “the opposite neighbourhood”, has been given this name for its location across the ravine opposite the small village of San Pedro, despite being practically joined together in one nowadays.