Are you nature lovers and anxious to know who were these mysterious aboriginal inhabitants of Gran Canaria? Your way should definitely lead to the ravine of Guayadeque.
There are 2 ways to arrive, one through Ingenio, another one from Aguimes. Both will take you breath when arriving and you will soon understand how can this place be so close and so isolated.
Your first steps should certainly carry you to the interpretation center. Maybe that is why it was build by the entrance to the valley. From the outside it will give you an impression of a small thing, but shouldn´t we never judge the things according to its exterior? The entrance fee of approximately 3 euros will be your price to understand to the aboriginal culture in the valley and actually generally to the prehispanic inhabitants of the island. The building itself is very interesting as it was smoothly integrated and created from the settings that cannot be more traditional – inside a large cave.
Here you will learn about how did the indigenous people look like, where did they come from, what tools did they use, what outfits they weared, what animals they used to farm, agriculture products they used to cultivate. There is even a mummy to see and what I found really interesting – the mummifying process explicative videos.
Well now you shall abandon the agreable temprature of the museums cave and go to apply your new knowing into practice. If you are a hiker than it is a great oportunity to leave your car at the interpretation centers parking and go walking. The ravine is full of cave complexes. After visiting the museum you will be able, with a bit of fantasy, to see how was the life in the cave settlements.
The presence of many eucalyptus trees is a proof of water souces in the valley that arrive from its upper zones. After the conquest the people moved to the lower areas of Ingenio and Aguimes and the valley became rather uninhabited. But since the beginning of the 19th century people returned and transformated the lower located caves into the cave houses and dedicated themselves to farming. The typical products of the valley are potatoes, corn, wheat, barley, rye, almonds, lentils, peas, beans or pumpking; from animals goats, sheep, cows, pigs and donkeys.
From 90ties the number of inhabitants lowered again to approximately 170 persons. You will see some of their interesting cave houses and cave church farther in the valley. Nowadays not everyone works in the agriculture as there is also another interesting business to run – the tourism. Maybe after your hike you would like to get your well-deserved pint of beer or lunch in one of the unique CAVE RESTAURANTS? Cheers!