Oasis Tamarindo La Oliva Fuerteventura Canary Islands

Oasis Tamarindo La Oliva Fuerteventura Canary Islands History

After the conquest of the island for the Crown of Castile by Jean de Bethencourt and Gadifer de la Salle, Fuerteventura was later sold to the house of Arias y Saavedra. It was during this period that La Oliva took on a very important role, with the establishment of the figure of the Land Lord by Philip II and that of the commanding officer, the Colonel, who took charge of the defence of the island when the Lord was absent. The military government had several high-ranking officers in charge until the Colonel assumed the role of Lord of the island, with the gradual acquisition of responsibilities as well as land, due to the frequent absences of the Lord. This post come to have a hereditary nature. Other matters were entrusted to the Cabildo or Council, an organization formed in the Canary Islands made up of representatives from all the towns of the islands. The figures of the Lord and the colonel later disappeared and were replaced by the Courts of Cadiz, with the establishment of eight town halls. The construction of the most significant buildings of the municipality was undertaken in this era of spendour.

During this period, the island had a strong farming and livestock tradition, and was able to provide the other islands with grain for some time. After three years of drought and bad crops, work came to be abandoned, and in some cases there was migration from the interior to the coastal areas. Later, the influx of labour to Corralejo consolidated the area as a tourist destination, and today it has magnificent accommodation facilities and an excellent hotel infrastructure to meet all demands.

Oasis Tamarindo La Oliva Fuerteventura Canary Islands Traditions

In spite of the major tourist development and the changes that have occurred in recent years, the locals still keep up some of the traditions specific to farming and seaboard towns. These customs, passed down from generation to generation, include the fiestas of the patron saints of each village, with the decoration of the main streets, folk performances, dances, sports and games. Religious processions have great importance, especially in Corralejo and El Cotillo. They take place both on land and at sea. Fish barbeques are also typical of these towns, and these are prepared by seamen from several localities. At lunch-time on the day of the celebration, the puchero or casserole is another custom which gathers the family around the table. People form party groups and visit houses, singing songs till dawn. In terms of farming traditions, when it is time for identification and marking of the cattle farmers round up their livestock, raised in the open air, with the help of bardino dogs. The majority of fisherman catch parrotfish, using a bamboo rod, from five to six metres in length, and from which a goat’s horn hangs as part of the method of fishing. At Christmas, the holding of rancho de ánimos, communal meals, is encouraged in La Oliva in order to bring back the importance this tradition had in the past.

Oasis Tamarindo La Oliva Fuerteventura Canary Islands Fiestas

The majoreros take pride in their hospitality and joyful spirit during the celebration of their festivals and include everyone who wishes to participate. The main ones are:

Ø  La Oliva Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria – 2nd February
Ø  Nuestra Señora del Rosario - Mid October
Ø  Corralejo Carnival – Second half of March
Ø  Nuestra Señora del Carmen - 16th July
Ø  Villaverde San Vicente Ferrer - 5th April
Ø  San Roque - 1st Sunday of September
Ø  Lajares San Antonio de Padua – 13th June
Ø  Nuestra Señora de la Milagrosa – 27th November
Ø  Vallébron San Juan - 24th June
Ø  El Roque San Martín de Porres - 2nd Sunday of August
Ø  Tindaya Nuestra Señora de la Caridad - 15th August
Ø  El Cotillo Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje - 3rd Sunday of August
Ø  La Caldereta Nuestra Señora de los Dolores - 15th September

In each of these festivals there will be several performances free of charge for those wishing to come and enjoy them.

Oasis Tamarindo La Oliva Fuerteventura Canary Islands Places

Besides the Natural Parks of Corralejo and Island of Lobos, there are other places worth visiting:

La Oliva: Ø  The House of the Colonels. Ø  The Church of our Lady Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Ø  “La Casa de la Cilla” Grain Museum. Villaverde: Ø  Artshop “Casa Marcos Crafts” Ø  Finca Majorera (typical Fuerteventuran Ranch) Casa La Rosita El Cotillo: Ø  The Fortress or the Castle of El Tostón.