Betancuria, Fuerteventura

Betancuria, founded in 1405 by the Norman Conqueror Jean de Bethancourt, was once the capital of the island of Fuerteventura. Now it governs the municipality of Betancuria, which includes the towns Vega de Rio Palmas and Valle de Santa Ines, as well as Betancuria itself.

The region is renowned for its mountains and stunning views, and is a sparsely populated region with only a few hundred inhabitants. Montana de la Atalaya is its highest mountain standing at 724 metres.

Betancuria contains several important religious buildings including the Iglesia de Santa Maria de Betancuria and the convent of San Buenaventura, which originated in 1416.It was consecrated as a cathedral in 1426. Pope Martin the fifth appointed it a BIshops seat, but the positon was never taken up.

Betancuria is well worth a visit. It appeals to the sort of tourist that like to go looking at churches and museums, and there are several bars and cafes that cater for the needs of tourists. The setting is idyllic, or as close as you can get to it on such a dry island.

On the drive out of Betancuria as you head north up the mountainside, there is an excellent viewpoint which overlooks Betancuria to the south and the Tefia plain to the north. There are two giant statues here of Ayoze and Guisgey who used to rule the two kingdoms of Fuerteventura.

Around the next bend there is a turning to the right. This is a road up to the Mirador Morro Velosa which is a building designed by Caesar Manrique the famed architect from Lanzarote, which sits on top Mount Tegu 500 metres above sea level. It is a lookout point, a cafe and an exhibition centre that sits right on top of the mountain. There are wonderful views to the east towards Caleta de Fuste, and to the north over the Tefia plain towards Tindaya Mountain in the north.

Fiestas
Place	Fiesta of	Date
Betancuria	San Buenaventura	14th July
Betancuria	Nuestra Senora de la Immaculada Concepcion	8th December
Valle de Santa Ines	Santa Ines	21st January
Valle de Santa Ines	San Bartolome	24th August
Vaga de Rio Palmas	San Sebastian	20th January
Vaga de Rio Palmas	Virgin de La Pina	5th August
Vaga de Rio Palmas	San Lorenzo	10th August
Vaga de Rio Palmas	La Pina procession.(Island Fiesta)	3rd Saturday in September
Vaga de Rio Palmas	Santa Lucia	13th September
Vaga de Rio Palmas	Appearance of the Virgin Mary	18th December

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The viewing point north of Betancuria

Iglesia de Santa Maria de Betancuria

Betancuria Museum

Church at Rio Palmas