Church of Santa Ana

The front door is what you notice first: tall, wooden and heavily decorated, set into a facade of volcanic stone that mixes Plateresque and Renaissance detail. Inside, arches and columns divide a nave and two side aisles, lined with altars, several of them Baroque.

Look for the Christ of Mercy, an image brought from Mexico and made from corn pith. The marble baptismal font dates from the 17th century. The visit also takes in a museum of sacred art and a quiet courtyard, and the restored tower can be climbed.

The building carries the town's own history. The Trevejo eruption of 1706 sent lava into Garachico, filled its harbour and left the church badly damaged. Between 1714 and 1721 it was rebuilt on the original plans, with new walls and roofs. A blue sign beside the church tells that story.

• Short hours. The church opens for brief windows, mostly in the morning; on a weekday afternoon the doors are shut and only the exterior is on show.
• The tower costs extra. Going up the bell tower carries its own charge.
• Toilets. Free public toilets stand about 65 m from the church.
• Read the blue sign. A sign next to the church explains how it was rebuilt after 1706 and what it means to the town.

The church stands in Garachico's old town, beside the Plaza de la Libertad. The nearest car park lies about 110 m away, with a second one about 115 m off. By bus, get off at La Cooperativa, about 175 m in a straight line from the church. Whichever way you come, the last stretch is on foot through the old town. An information board for the PR-TF 43 footpath stands about 70 m from the church.

Best: a weekday morning, while the church and its museum are open. Avoid: a weekday afternoon, when the doors are closed. The opening windows are short, and outside them the visit shrinks to the facade and the carved door.

Santa Ana is a working parish church and a protected monument. Dress as you would for any church, with shoulders covered and no swimwear, and keep your voice low inside. If a service is under way, hold back from walking the aisles and taking photographs until it ends.