La Laguna takes centre stage this June with the cultural and educational initiative La Laguna Encantada, an imaginative programme that delves into the municipality’s myths, legends, and enduring mysteries. The project reaffirms the city’s position as a cultural and historical benchmark in the Canary Islands, offering an innovative form of tourism focused on intangible heritage.
Promoted by the Tourism Department of La Laguna Town Council, the initiative runs from 5 to 20 June and includes a variety of public events, from guided walks and thematic talks to exhibitions celebrating the town’s most unusual stories and characters.
“We aim to spotlight the immense cultural and touristic value of our local legends, iconic historical figures, and traditions,” explains Councillor for Tourism Estefanía Díaz. “Our intention is to do so in a way that is both respectful and engaging—accessible to a broad audience while encouraging deeper appreciation of La Laguna’s more symbolic, mysterious facets.”
A Rich Programme Across Town and Coast
La Laguna Encantada presents a diverse calendar of activities spread throughout the city and surrounding areas, transforming La Laguna into a living museum of folklore and forgotten tales. Through these events, the town draws attention to its deep-rooted identity as a cultural crossroads—home to stories of miraculous events, spiritual rites, and eccentric characters that have shaped its collective memory.
The initiative began with a lecture by Pablo Villarubia, a journalist renowned for his investigative work on the Spanish TV show Cuarto Milenio. Held at the headquarters of the Mexico–Canary Islands Foundation, his talk explored some of the most extraordinary experiences he has encountered in his career.
Further highlights include appearances by authors and researchers such as José Gregorio González, Fernando Hernández, Lorenzo Santana, and Manuel de Paz, who will address subjects ranging from local healers and miraculous events to the city’s links with occultism and historical revelations surrounding figures like Amaro Pargo.
Guided Walks Through Legend and Landscape
Two accessible guided tours offer an immersive experience of La Laguna’s folklore:
- “Legends, Mysteries and Other Herbs of La Laguna” – a walking route through the old town, scheduled for Friday 13 June.
- “Punta del Hidalgo, Land of Legends” – a coastal walk taking place on Saturday 14 June, revealing tales tied to this iconic seaside enclave.
Thought-Provoking Exhibitions
The initiative also includes two major exhibitions:
- “Canarias Oculta” (Hidden Canary Islands), featuring 16 oil paintings by artist Joan Bells, each inspired by the mysteries and spiritual narratives of the archipelago.
- “Los Libros Prohibidos” (Forbidden Books), which explores censored and ‘cursed’ literature throughout history. This exhibit will be hosted by the Municipal Library.
“With La Laguna Encantada, we are not only diversifying our tourism offer, but also proposing a new way of engaging with our heritage,” adds Díaz. “We want to decentralise culture by bringing events to different neighbourhoods and community spaces, aligning ourselves with trends seen in leading European cultural destinations.”
Locations and Access
While the main series of lectures will take place at the Mexico–Canary Islands Foundation on Plaza de la Concepción, 16, other events will be held across various cultural centres, including Las Madres (Padre Anchieta), Taco, and Punta del Hidalgo.
All activities are free of charge and open to the public until full capacity is reached. The project is carried out in collaboration with Canarias Mágica and other regional cultural organisations.
