Friday, December 15, 2006
Nativity Recreates Historic Center of La Orotava
Whilst Gran Canaria may have The biggest traditional Nativity Scene in the Canaries - quite rightly observed that the Nativity Scene or Belén is still centre stage of Christmas displays in Spain, despite the fact that this is an increasingly secular country.
Meanwhile, La Orotava in the north of Tenerife has a Nativity display, housed in the central patio of the Municipal Library (pink building, above, right), inspired by the historic center of the town.
Some of the buildings in this singular scale model are exact replicas of those in La Orotava. One of the buildings represented is the Casa Ponte Fonte (a.k.a. the Casa Lercaro), the 16th and 17th century mansion that is considered by many to be the most representative building of traditional Canary Island style.
The model uses 29,500 tiny tejas (terracotta roof tiles) and natural stone is used to imitate the cobbled streets and patios. Also represented are traditional labours, such as basket making, needlework and street sellers - all down to the finest detail - with even hand made typical costumes on the close to one hundred tiny pottery figures.
The 40 meter square model is on view to the public until January 6th on all days, except December 24th and 31st, including Saturdays and Sundays. Hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 19:00, Saturdays 17:00 to 21:00, Sundays 11:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 21:00. On December 25th, January 1st and 6th, 17:00 to 21:00.
The Biblioteca Municipal (Municipal Library) can be found at the old Casino Orotava, right in the historic center, at number 3 in Calle Tomás Pérez: the street which runs down from the Town Hall towards the church of La Concepción.
BienMeSabe have some really lovely photos of the spectacular display with the following report: Espectacular Belén del conjunto histórico de La Orotava
Labels: Christmas
