Why all love San Juan de la Rambla

Many like very much San Juan de la Rambla because of its Rambla.  In fact, this trail is part of the town's pristine mountain and seaside nature.  That's where its picturesque suburb Las Aguas that's depicted below plays an important role.

Also very attractive is its laid back mood of a real fishing community and locals that value their traditions and Portuguese heritage. The latter is best enjoyed during the Mercado Barroco festival in a setting of XVII in the enchanting old quarters that date back 300 years.

One of the guides depicted above represents the Portuguese Martín Rodríguez the town's first settler and founder who received land and water rights at the beginning of XVI for helping to conquer Tenerife from the Guanches. He and compatriots that followed suite left a prominent  mark of Portugal by way of architecture and/ or customs.  He also built the chapel San Juan Bautista that became a proper church later on. 

Other important data of San Juan de la Rambla

It is an Atlantic ocean town and municipality by that name. The latter comprises about 21 square km as stated in the year 1530. It's located in the Northwest of Tenerife between Los Realejos and La Guancha. San José is its capital. It had less than 5000 inhabitants which is typical for Tenerife smaller towns. However, it was granted the BIC certificate in 1993 for representing top Tenerife culture.

The old town San Juan is not any more totally off the beaten track of tourism thanks to the Freeway TF5 and the public bus routes Titsa 363 and 108 on work days, above all.

More about getting around

Weekend and holiday night buses are very limited.  It can be a problem to travel after 9 p.m.

San José the capital is even more restricted. It can only be reached on work days by Titsa bus 364. Inhabitants of this capital told me that they have to have a car, as Titsa transport is not good enough for many to get to work in surrounding towns. The bus stop of the Titsa route 354 is much too far away on the hills. Some  walk down from it when weather and circumstances permit but to climb to return is a no-brainer for most people.

The picturesque Casco of San Juan de la Rambla

The stress free life style by its Casco its most charming old quarters with enchanting traditions have turned it into a jewel of Tenerife North. 

Its scenic hiking trails delight nature lovers. Lately, also count El Charco La Laja to it. It's now the rockpool number one in the region before the Charco of Winds of nearby Santa Catalina from what I have seen.

The old town of the long gone Don Martïn has many idyllic nooks, rocky beach coves and countless picturesque landscapes at all levels. Much of its land is agricultural on mountain slopes up to 2000m above the sea. Bananas and vineyards are dominant.

Top attractions by San Juan de la Rambla door steps besides La Laja

The theory of the Tenerife holiday home insider is that the name San Juan de la Rambla surely derives from Rambla de Caballos of the ancient Camino Real which was part of the most important infrastructure in the early Tenerife days of sugar cane plantations in XV. This Rambla is a continuation of a famous Rambla nearby that formerly linked Icod El Alto with San Juan del Mal Pais now called de la Rambla.

Friends just told me in 2020 that the fish at the restaurant Casa Mi Madre is as good as it was when it was called Bodeguita El Cantito of San Juan de la Rambla.

Other San Juan de la Rambla attractions nearby

• Trail and Molino Gofio mill del Risco de las Pencas
• The Pino Milenario
• Clean, cheap room accommodation under Euro 20 with shared bath at Lorenzo's Las Aguas
• A restoration project of 15 humble, but very historic dwellings at San Jose

• San José the capital with its town hall and Ermita de San José in the center photo
  
•  Barranco Ruiz recreational park
• The scenic Surf and SUP beach Playa el Socorro

The artistic old quarters of San Juan de la Rambla of the first settlers

The old quarters the Casco are a treasure chest of  historical and artistic remnants. It was introduced to me as a town of artists by a retired German whom its neighbors in Calle Estrecha called Don Dieter.

This square called Plaza Doña Rosario Oramas is the heart of cultural events, such as all important markets as well as shows and celebrations of the municipality San Juan de la Rambla.

Below see details of the trophies of historic, cultural and artistic value in 2020 which received governmental honors for its culture, 27 years ago.

Don Dieter liked to proudly point out his balcony as depicted above by Casa Oramas de Saä. This Louvre enclosed jewel on Plaza Doña Rosario Oramas is still one of the finest of  all of Spain.

Not to forget are a couple of precious metal objects which were donated for the Matriz from conquerors of Spanish South America. Of course, there are stunning church paintings. Unfortunately, by unknown artists. Then, there are wonderful statues of San Antonio and the Virgen del Pino.

From the church place up the cobble street Calle La Alhondiga

Unfortunately, Casa de Los Delgado Oramas is still in dire straights of repairs. It suffered great flood damage in XIX, although not as bad as the Alhondiga which it faces by its balcony side.

Only walls were good for keeps of the Alhondiga after the Aluvión the Deluge of 1826. That's when most probably the front door of Dieter's mansion was exchanged for a smaller one. Why? His entrance had a gigantic, wooden beam that carried the floor above it. Horses could walk underneath under this worm riddled tree trunk of yore. Yet, it would probably last another 500 years. I saw it around 2004 when I didn't have a camera. I also remember the most amazing Mudejar wooden ceiling in an upstairs room. Indeed, the German was fortunate to reside as a passionate photographer in one of Tenerife's most precious antique quarters until he passed away, several years ago.

San Juan de la Rambla the town of shoe design

Not that long ago, about 300 shoe makers and repairers abounded in the town of the Rambla who were also renown for footwear made to measure as seen on the monument. Facturies exported Alpargatas (Espardenyes in Catalan since 1322) that I remember from the Sixties when they came as Espadrilles from Nice in  Southern France. By the way, the only shoe factory of importance that is left in Tenerife is in Los Realejos Alto and it is part of the family business Artesania de Canarias.

Coming back to Espadrilles, their base is made with Esparto which is also used for ropes. The top is made with a canvas like the sails of ships.

Cándito Diaz Llanos Bautista employed more than 30 women and men during the war around 1939 to manufacture the latter.

When San Juan de la Rambla's most famous shoe designer met Yves Saint Laurent

An important break-through happened when Don Cándito met Yves Saint Laurent during a Paris fashion fair.

Then, the Platform Alpargata or wedge loafers were invented that are still sold today. So are the flat versions that may have been around even before the Romans. By the way, the ones depicted may be a cheap copy. Why? Their soles are partially made of plastic.

Top specific cultural and artistic San Juan de la Rambla events

• May 12, Fiesta de San Pancracio
• June 24 Summer Solstice and Fiesta of San Juan Bautista  Art and crafts market and a Romeria with free food and Folklore

• September 15, Fiesta folk festival San José in the capital San Jose
• November 02, 2019, the latest yearly Mercado Barroco: Commemorates the Casco's golden era of Wine, Cochinilla and Bananas but, also an important victory in the Tenerife capital. Arts and crafts are for sale, while the fashion of XVII and VIII is dress code for locals. Tour tickets sold by 11 a.m. to open doors to reveal the life of aristocrats of yore. Shows and theater round off the celebrations. 
• View the entire agenda of the fourth Mercado Barroco with street photos of decorations that start days before the event      
• Mercados Sanos:  Markets for art, crafts and organic products on every first Sunday of the month.
• The Banda musica: An omnipresent band during most events.

• Casa la Cultura: Photography - as well as art and craft exhibitions

There are traditional Guanche and other sports events, Christmas and Reyes holidays, Semana Santa(Easter) Carnival, Fiesta de Candelaria, Dias de la Cruz, de Canarias, del Vino and de Tapas, Halloween and various music festivals. 

Last not least the total guide for Las Aguas Tenerife  of San Juan Rambla which includes the very popular coastal hiking path by that name as well as videos

From San Juan de la Rambla back to Tenerife towns

About the capital San Jose de San Juan de la Rambla

here

Please mind that the comment box below is meant to help others. In case you have a question or want to tell me something, kindly use this contact form.

Back to HomePage of the Tenerife holiday home insider

This site is protected by Copyscape