Fiestas de Mayo 2007 Puerto de la Cruz

Floral cross in Güímar, Tenerife.
Photo: MatapardaThe Fiestas de Mayo, especially El Día de la Cruz (The Day of the Cross) are celebrated in Santa Cruz - fairly obviously, as Santa Cruz means "Holy Cross" - Los Realejos (with their famous, annual firework battle) and in various other locations.

These fiestas are also celebrated in Puerto de la Cruz as the Fiestas in honour of the foundation of the town (3rd May) and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, where they are especially pretty as residents decorate the fixed crosses in the public streets with enormous flower and fruit decorations.

For both residents and visitors to be able to enjoy this custom, this year, Puerto de la Cruz town hall has arranged guided tours of the crosses ~~on May 3rd~~.

Only small groups of 20 people can be accommodated, so prior bookings must be made ~~by April 30~~. ~~Presumably this can be done at the town hall ( C/ Santo Domingo s/n, Plaza Europa, Puerto de la Cruz. Telephone: +34 922 378 400 ).~~

UPDATE: Bienmesabe report that bookings can be made at the Biblioteca Pública Municipal "Tomás de Iriarte" (Public Library at Calle Agustín de Bethencourt, nº 11. Tfno: 922 380 015), until 15:00 on May 2nd, for the tours which take place at 20:00, 21:00, 22:00 and 23:00 on that same evening, May 2nd.

Whilst the guided tours will explain various historical information of interest, with the aid of a street map of Puerto de la Cruz and a modicum of initiative, it ought to be possible to get round and see some of these works of art independently.

The route starts from the Plaza Enrique Talg (at the end of Calle Iriarte, next to the Hotel Bambi) and passes by the house of artisan, Don Felipe Barreto, the chapel of Las Lonjas, the Cruz de la Carola, the chapel of Cruz Verde, Calle Mequinez, Calle del Lomo and Cruz del Peñón. (Calle = Street. Cruz = Cross.)

What is unique to Puerto de la Cruz is that the floral decorations are added to existing crosses of historical importance, whilst in other towns on the islands, such as Los Realejos and Güímar, the custom is to make crosses out of flowers.

Fiestas de Mayo 2007 Puerto de la Cruz