Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest and most important religious buildings in the Canary Islands. Its construction began in 1500 on the site of the first chapel built by Spanish conquistadors after their arrival on the island. The church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and serves as the main Catholic temple of the city, although it is not formally a cathedral. Architecturally, it combines Baroque and Tuscan Renaissance styles, features five naves, and a tall bell tower spire, which is the tallest among the island’s religious buildings. The interior houses numerous historical and artistic relics: the image of Saint James, the city’s founding cross, an organ brought from London in 1862, the relic of Saint Clement I, as well as images of Saint Brother Pedro, Saint Joseph of Anheta, and the Holy Christ of the Good Journey. The church is an important cultural and religious center of the city, hosting services, processions, and festive events, especially during the Day of the Cross on May 3.