Church of La Concepción

Every other church on Tenerife traces its roots to this one. Founded in 1511 in Villa de Arriba (the craftsmen's quarter), it originally stood in a different location: probably between Calle Adelantado and Calle Marqués de Celada. When it was decided to move it, construction lasted until 1558, with the first 30 years focused solely on the apse. Three naves with semicircular arches, a wooden artesonado ceiling in Mudéjar style and columns of dark volcanic stone contrasting with white walls: the signature of Canarian architecture that was later copied by cities across Latin America.

In the 18th century architect Diego Nicolás Eduardo carried out a major reform, introducing neoclassical elements in the chancel. The tower went through three incarnations (1577, 1630 and the current one from 1694-1697), rises 28 metres in a Tuscan style strikingly similar to the campanile of Turin Cathedral, and houses the largest bell in the Canary Islands.

Inside: a ceramic baptismal font from Seville dating from the 15th century, at which the first Christians in Tenerife were baptised; a wooden pyx used during the island's first Corpus Christi Mass in 1496; a cedar wood pulpit by French artist Verau; the main altarpiece with the image of the Inmaculada Concepción by Fernando Estévez (Tenerife's foremost 19th-century sculptor); and the 'La Predilecta' altarpiece with Virgen de los Dolores by Luján Pérez.

Next to the side entrance stands a monument to Pope John Paul II, the work of Polish sculptor Czesław Dźwigaj, showing the pontiff blessing two children dressed in traditional Canarian costumes. The sculpture came from Poland and was blessed by the Bishop of Tenerife.

Between 2002 and 2014 the church served as the temporary cathedral of the diocese of Tenerife. In May 2009 it hosted the Virgen de Candelaria (patroness of the Canary Islands) for two weeks. Normally the Virgen stays overnight in the cathedral, but due to its renovation she was brought to La Concepción. Every 7 December the famous torch procession takes place around the church, and on 8 December the Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción with a pontifical mass celebrated by the Bishop of Tenerife.