Vilaflor, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Vilaflor is a municipality and village in the south-central part of the island of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, and part of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (province), Spain. Vilaflor, with an altitude of 1,400 m, is the highest village on Tenerife, situated south of the Teide volcano. It is located 7 km north of San Miguel de Abona and 51 km southwest of the island's capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The population is 1,645 (2018) and the area is 56.26 km².

Sights

 * Paisaje Lunar (Lunar Landscape), a geological phenomenon created by erosion.
 * El Pino Gordo (Thick Pine tree).
 * The mineral springs of Fuente Alta, which can be found at 1400 meters above sea level in a protected nature reserve. The bottled water company Fuentealta uses from this mineral spring.
 * Church of Saint Peter, it is the parish church of the town.
 * Sanctuary of the Santo Hermano Pedro, a church built in honor of Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur (Santo Hermano Pedro).



History
Before the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century, the territory was inhabited by the Guanches, the first settlers of the island, belonging to the kingdom or menceyato of Abona.

Once the conquest is over, the colonizing process begins with the distribution of land and other goods among the conquerors and settlers by the new governor Alonso Fernández de Lugo. The current town would be founded around 1520, reaching the category of municipality in 1812. In 1533, a hermitage dedicated to Saint Peter was built by the Soler family. In 1568 the hermitage was elevated to the rank of parish church.

Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur was born in Vilaflor in 1626. This religious was a missionary in Guatemala and is the first native saint of the Canary Islands. The Sanctuary of the Santo Hermano Pedro is currently located in the exact location of his birthplace.

Today, vines and potatoes, as well as fruits, flowers and vegetables are grown in the surrounding region. Vilaflor is currently the least populated municipality on the island of Tenerife, with 1,645 inhabitants in 2018.

Twin towns – sister cities

 * La Orotava, Spain
 * La Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala