Walking near the Castle of St. John the Baptist, you will learn about the only battle that the seemingly invincible Admiral Nelson lost as a result of the islanders’ courage and bravery, when farmers, fishermen, and shepherds left their tools aside and picked up rifles instead in order to defend their homeland. Discover how the city flourished, from its origins as a military camp to becoming the Canary Islands’ capital. In the 18th century, Santa Cruz became one of the most important ports in the Atlantic Ocean, a first-class harbor which dispatched all sorts of merchandise, mostly destined for Spain and the United Kingdom. This resulted in the settlement of a large British and Irish population, which encouraged a very interesting cultural mix which can be seen on the island today.
