If you’re planning a trip to Tenerife, we recommend a stopover in San Cristóbal de La Laguna to discover the majestic Los Remedios Cathedral. Nestled in the historic center, this building, whose origins date back to the 16th century, will delight fans of religious architecture. Like us, you’ll be seduced by its neoclassical façade, its ornate chapels and the treasure it contains. The cathedral was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1983.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna?
Is Los Remedios Cathedral worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, we think the cathedral is well worth a visit, for several reasons:
- Its impressive architecture is a blend of Gothic and Neoclassical influences. It also features elements that are unique to the Canaries.
- The building houses many important pieces of religious art, including a beautiful Carrara marble pulpit.
- Its 9 chapels are magnificently adorned and decorated.
- In one of them, the altarpiece of Our Lady of Remedies is the largest altarpiece in the Canary Islands.
It’s one of the city’s cultural activities, and we’ve selected it as one of our must-dos in La Laguna.
Why is La Laguna Cathedral famous?
Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios Cathedral is famous for its historical and architectural importance. It was built in the 16th century and renovated in the early 20th. It blends Gothic and Neoclassical styles. Here we found the tomb ofAlonso Fernandez de Lugo, the island’s conqueror.
The cathedral is also known for its many artistic and religious treasures. The magnificent Carrara marble pulpit impressed us greatly. There are also sumptuous altarpieces, monumental paintings, remarkable pieces of silverware and numerous relics.
Our favorite moments
We visited the cathedral in the early afternoon on a clear day. The stained glass windows let in plenty of light. We particularly liked it:
- The altarpiece in the Chapel of the Virgin of Remedies. It’s one of the church’s greatest treasures. Its extremely rich Baroque style is breathtaking.
- The ambulatory behind the main altar features numerous paintings and large vertical stained-glass windows. We loved its medieval atmosphere.
- The Carrara marble pulpit is unique. We usually love the carved wooden pulpits to be found in the Canaries, but this one impressed us.
- The choir with its wooden stalls and monumental organ positioned just above.
Book your admission ticket including audioguide
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History in brief
The cathedral’s history began in 1511 with the construction of a chapel. It was replaced 4 years later by a larger church dedicated to Notre Dame des Remèdes. Over the centuries, the building underwent numerous extensions and modifications. It was elevated to cathedral status in 1819. The neoclassical façade, inspired by Pamplona Cathedral in Navarre, dates from 1820.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the cathedral was in ruins. It was then rebuilt, this time in neo-Gothic style. It was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1983. It is located in the historic heart of La Laguna, aUNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Access: Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios Cathedral, San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Where is Los Remedios Cathedral?
- Los Remedios Cathedral is located in the historic center of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
- On the Plaza de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
How to get there?
To get to La Laguna Cathedral, you have several options:
- By car: you can drive around the historic district, but we recommend that you leave your car in one of the city’s free parking lots and visit the area on foot. Find all our practical tips for renting a car in Tenerife. They are based on our experience.
- By public transport: there are numerous bus stops close to the cathedral, the nearest being 6 de Diciembre, a 7-minute walk from the cathedral. Find out more here.
- By streetcar: two lines connect the island’s main points of interest between Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Find out more here.
Parking
Finding parking in La Laguna can be tricky, especially in high season. We had left our car at the Parking Aparcamiento Adelantado, a 6-minute walk from the cathedral. It’s free and open 24 hours a day.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
The cathedral can be visited at any time of day. Its freshness is particularly pleasant in the hottest hours. Nevertheless, we recommend that you visit in the morning, especially at the height of the season, as you’ll find it quieter. In any case, it’s best to avoid service times, unless you want to attend a mass. Find out more here.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Depending on your interests, you should allow between 30min and 1h to visit the cathedral. We encountered no particular difficulties during our visit. San Cristóbal de La Laguna was voted Europe’s most accessible city and received theAccess City Award 2024.
Advice on how to visit
The tour is numbered if you take theaudioguide. You’ll start with the right wing and work your way up to the left. But it’s perfectly possible to wander freely around the cathedral.
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Schedules and rates
The cathedral is open:
- Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, except when attending mass
Price: €7
Reduced rates and free admission conditions here.
Book your admission ticket including audioguide
Guided tours
Admission includes an audioguide in 5 languages: Spanish, English, French, German and Italian.
Catering
There are plenty of restaurants in the historic center, just a few blocks from the cathedral. See our article on the best places to eat in San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
Entering the cathedral and discovering the central space
We liked the cathedral’s sober neoclassical façade. It contrasts with the impressive neo-Gothic interior.
The neoclassical façade
The façade of La Laguna Cathedral is in the neoclassical style. We loved the contrast between the white rendering and the dark volcanic stone, warmed by the large, embossed wooden doors. The façade was rebuilt in 1825. It was inspired by the Cathedral of Pamplona in Navarre.
Here, we noticed typical neoclassical architectural elements such as columns and a triangular pediment. From the Plaza de los Remedios, they give the building an imposing yet elegant appearance.
The three spacious aisles
We noticed that the Cathedral Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios has 3 large naves, which is very characteristic of the Neo-Gothic style. These naves are covered with ribbed vaults. The central nave appears wider than the side aisles.
Just before the altar, the main nave is topped by a magnificent dome, illuminated by colorful geometric stained-glass windows. Their uncluttered composition brings a touch of modernity that is a little surprising in these surroundings. The side aisles are lined with chapels, each more gleaming than the last.
The organ above the choir
What amazed us about La Laguna Cathedral was the place of the choir. It is located opposite the main altar, at the other end of the central nave. The monumental neoclassical stall is made of mahogany and barbuzano wood. It dates from the first half of the 19th century.
The organ is positioned above the cathedral’s main door, on the tribune. It is dated 1858 and comes from the prestigious Henry Bebington & Sons workshop in London.
Exploring the chapels
We found 9 chapels in La Laguna Cathedral. Each houses an altarpiece and valuable religious images. However, some of these chapels stand out for their richness or symbolism.
The major side chapels
There are 3 of them, each containing spectacular elements.
- The Chapel of the Virgin of Remedies. This is the most remarkable. It houses a unique altarpiece, the largest in the Canary Islands. We could have spent hours observing the richness of its decorations.
- The Chapelle du Trésor is a veritable museum. We were able to admire an exceptional collection of goldsmith’s and silversmith’s work, religious sculptures, costumes and other ornaments, as well as paintings.
- The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Its altarpiece contains a precious sculpture of Notre-Dame de Lumière.
- The Chapelle de la Virgen de la Candelaria is important because it is dedicated to the patron saint of the Canary Islands, who is said to have appeared to two indigenous Guanches in Tenerife in 1390.
The other side chapels
These are the following chapels: Santa Barbara, Virgen del Carmen, Santa Teresa, Seigneur de la Colonne and San José. They are also splendidly rich in paintings, sculptures and other religious objects.
We have identified the Santa Barbara and San José chapels. Their slightly more austere decorations contrast with the opulent, baroque gilding of the other chapels. The altarpieces, in dark carved wood, are more pared-down, though very elaborate.
Other highlights not to be missed
The unique ambulatory
We followed the ambulatory behind the main altar. It dates back to modifications made in the early 19th century, and is part of the cathedral’s neo-Gothic structure. It gives the building a European medieval look, in harmony with the 3 large naves and the tall vertical stained glass windows that dominate the altar.
In the ambulatory is the funerary monument ofAlonso Fernandez de Lugo, who conquered the Canary Islands. We also saw some very fine paintings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Carrara marble pulpit
For those of us who always notice the beautiful carved wooden pulpits in the churches of the Canary Islands, the one in La Laguna Cathedral was a real surprise. It is made of Carrara marble. Unlike the other pulpits, it is therefore Claire, whereas most of the others are made of very dark wood.
It is the work of Pasquale Bocciardo, an Italian sculptor from the Genoese Settento school. The extraordinary material of the marble makes it possible to create the finest motifs, the features of the figures and the folds of the fabrics.
The cathedral dome
We loved the colorful light from the dome that rises just in front of the main altar. Reaching a height of 41.5 m, it is the highest point in the historic center of La Laguna. These checkerboard stained-glass windows in every color are surprisingly modern.
The dome is visible from many parts of the city. It is covered with copper plates, like the cathedrals of Northern Europe. It is also topped by a large, contemporary concrete cross.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cathedral’s full name?
The full name of the Cathedral of Los Remedios in San Cristóbal de La Laguna is Cathédrale de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios. It is more commonly known as the Cathedral of La Laguna. But you can also find the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna or the Cathedral of Los Remedios…
Is there a museum in the cathedral?
There is no museum as such in the cathedral, but one of the side chapels is dedicated to the cathedral treasure. It contains liturgical objects, sacred works of art and historical items linked to the region’s religious history. We were able to admire scaredotal vestments, relics and pieces of gold and silverware.
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