The former stronghold Fortaleza de Ansite

„Fortaleza de Ansite“ – this is a very unique stronghold lying high within the cliffs of Gran Canary. It is a building consisting of a hole-system which was once built for funeral rituals.

It outlasted hundreds of years. This stronghold is especially well-known for the pre-Hispanic resistance movement against the Spanish conquerors. It was the last one being successfully defended by the Guanche people against to Spanish colonization for a long period of time. During this time, at the end of the 15th century, all the easier reachable coast regions were already taken by the Spanish crown. When they realized the coming defeat of the Spanish, the Guanche leader and shaman dumped themselves off the cliffs. As a result, they escaped from being captured and religiously uprooted through a christening. This history-charged occurrence is remembered annually with a festival on the 29th of April.

Even though it is a big distance, you can already see the holes of Ansite shortly after the motorway exit at La Surrueda (coming from Vecindario). Not only the historical aspect but also the incomparable view onto the surrounding region is worth a visit. You can see the Roque Aguayro and the imposing gorge of Tirajana. After visiting the “Fortaleza de Ansite” you could do a side trip to the “Barranco de Tirajana” with its wild romantic nature as well as to the fishing village Sardina.