Las Tederas Viewpoint

The viewpoint here at Las Tederas, right by the Aula de la Naturaleza of the same name, owes its toponomy to the tedera plant (Bituminaria bituminosa) a herb with Mediterranean origins which is said to have important medicinal properties. In traditional Canary medicine it has been used mainly as a poultice to help in the healing of wounds.

From up here at the highest viewpoint of Santa Lucía, we have ample views over the La Caldera de Tirajana, the geological monumental phenomenon located in the central area of Gran Canaria, and facing southeast. The towns of Santa Lucía, in the foreground, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana further behind, are set in this huge basin. It is a truly unique area from where we can take in the rugged relief of the countryside, together with a wealth of vegetation and large extensions of farmland, interspersed with a few hamlets.

It is also one of the finest places to check out the peculiarities of the architecture on display in the town centre of Santa Lucía, with its traditional Canary buildings. These include its fine matrix temple, with the whiteness and morphology of its dome standing out unmistakably for miles around.

From our panoramic viewpoint we can also differentiate between tonal shades of green, reflecting the varied vegetation in the valley, with palm trees and olive trees abounding. These trees have been forever linked to the Caldera de Tirajana, and have been put to traditional use by local craftsmen and women. 

The area to the west of the Barranco de Tirajana, apart from its narrow coastal strip, forms part of the World Biosphere Reserve of Gran Canaria, as declared by UNESCO on 29th June 2005.