Nestled at 1,500 metres above sea level, Vilaflor de Chasna stands as the highest village in the Canary Islands and the least populated municipality in Tenerife. This quaint village, with its cobblestone streets and charming houses, offers an oasis of peace and tranquillity, starkly contrasting with the bustling tourist areas on the coasts of the island.
Surrounded by pine forests, Vilaflor provides a serene retreat where visitors can enjoy the fresh mountain air and peaceful ambience. With less than 2,000 inhabitants, it offers a quiet escape within an island that boasts nearly a million residents.
The village covers just 56.26km² but shares borders with southern municipalities like Arona, Adeje, Granadilla, and San Miguel, as well as with La Orotava, making it a transitional point between the island's northern and southern regions.
Founded in 1525 by Catalan settler Pedro Soler and his wife Juana de Padilla, Vilaflor became a vital civil and ecclesiastical centre in the Chasna region. It prospered along the Camino Real de Chasna, a historic route that connected the northern and southern parts of Tenerife, facilitating the exchange of agricultural products and livestock.
This ancient path linked the La Orotava Valley with Granadilla, ascending to El Portillo, crossing Las Cañadas to the Degollada del Guajara, and descending to Vilaflor before ending in Granadilla. The journey took one to two days and was crucial for trade and communication between the island's regions.
Vilaflor boasts several significant historical structures. The Church of San Pedro Apóstol, constructed in the mid-17th century, features a Latin cross plan and combines Canarian and Mudéjar styles. It houses a valuable alabaster statue of Saint Peter dating back to the mid-16th century.
Adjacent to the church is the Santuario del Santo Hermano Pedro, a pilgrimage site dedicated to the founder of the Order of Bethlehemites in Guatemala. Built on the site of the saint's parents' home, it includes a convent and features a rectangular plan with a single nave, incorporating remnants of the original structure.
The Soler family home, representing 17th-century Canarian architecture, remains a testament to the village's historical grandeur. Despite renovations, its stone columns, wooden door, ancient wine press, and interior garden can still be appreciated.
Vilaflor's first water mill, constructed in 1644 and operational until 1915, remains a significant historical site. Visitors can view its well-preserved arches and the water channels used for grain milling. This and other hydraulic works, such as the stone-washing basins at Los Lavaderos, were instrumental in the village's growth.
Another historic site is Las Casas Altas de Jama, a traditional hamlet shared with the municipality of Arona. This area showcases southern Tenerife's popular architecture and agricultural practices, including cisterns, irrigation channels, ovens, cobblestone paths, and terraces. It is believed to be one of the earliest settlements in Jama, dating back several centuries and mentioned in the first land distributions by the island's conqueror Alonso Fernández de Lugo.
Vilaflor de Chasna invites visitors to step back in time and enjoy its tranquil environment, rich history, and cultural heritage. Whether exploring its historic routes, admiring its traditional architecture, or simply soaking in the serene atmosphere, this high-altitude village is a must-visit destination in the Canary Islands.
