Betancuria Travel Guide
If in the past, Moroccan and European pirates used to sack Betancuria, today, it is tourists who love to lurk in this farmland settlement north of Fuerteventura Island. Apart from its basalt hills and palm trees, Betancuria boasts of the beauty of the Mediterranean countryside with its whitewashed cottages and tranquil seaside fishing villages.
Baroque beauty
The smallest town in the Canaries based on population, Betancuria was founded in 1404 by Jean de Béthencourt, whose house (Villa de Santa Maria de Betancuria), living quarters, and chapel (Iglesia de Santa Maria) are now the town's major attractions. Iglesia de Santa Maria boasts of a Baroque altar, a beautiful stone floor, and a wooden ceiling all dating back to 1620.
Near the Iglesia is the Museo Artesiana, a museum and craft shop where tourists may see weavers at work or taste homemade cheese. The museum has small exhibitions of antique appliances and agricultural tools, as well as film showings about the local culture. The museum's souvenir shops sell local goodies such as licor de hierbas or herb liquor. Religious art, silverware, and paintings are also in Museo de Arte Sacro, while Casa Museo de Betancuria has a simple Guanche artifact collection.
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