EL HIERRO - Canarias |
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| Few places conserve their authenticity and natural values like the island of El Hierro. Covering 278 square kilometres, it is the smallest island in the Canary Archipelago and one of the most beautiful places which Homer called the “Fortunate Islands. Geographically speaking, being formed some 5 million years ago, El Hierro is the youngest island. Spectacular cliffs make up most of its coastline. Its highest point is the peak of Malpaso at 1501m. The visitor will discover with surprise its amazing contrasting landscapes; lava fields, traditional farmland with indigenous livestock, extensive pine forests, ancient misty cloud forests and more than 200 volcanic craters. Ptolemy put El Hierro on the map by placing the Zero Meridian at Orchilla. It was believed at the time that this was the point where the world ended. History was forgotten once the Meridian was moved to Greenwich. This forgotten corner of the world has since been used as a place of remote exile and withdrawal. This idea of remoteness with which El Hierro was viewed for so many years, has protected the island from the mass tourism boom and allowed its landscape, ethnographic and cultural values to remain in tact. Due to a shift in political values towards sustainable development, El Hierro is a unique destination which appeals to people who seek the perfect combination of originality, nature and simplicity. El Hierro’s long musical heritage is a priceless treasure. The event which best illustrates the importance of musical tradition in this culture is the “Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes”. Until now, there has never been such a harmonic fusion of traditional and contemporary as in the ambitious Bimbache Jazz Festival, with its folkloric work songs and traditional “Herreño” drums and flutes. The Bimbaches The indigenous people of El Hierro are known as the Bimbaches. It is understood that they were a peaceful people with a clear social structure. They were people of the land and shepherds, who lived in caves and wore animal skins for clothing. The Spaniards conquered the island at the beginning of the 15th century. The Bimbache quickly adapted to the customs and language of the ‘conquistadores’. Today we still have some names, dances and melodies that take us back to this ancient Canary Island culture. Also, more and more of their magical engraving and signs are also being discovered.  |
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| El Hierro, building an island on a human scale. The message we want to transmit from our small island is that we are firmly convinced that it is possible to maintain a healthy relationship between people and nature, a relationship which enables us to develop in a balanced way. |
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