Chapelle - "Our Lady of the Snow"

The Island Sanctuary

In a marvellous setting of pine clad hills, palm groves, beautiful gardens and a few houses, at the foot of the mountainside, you find the El Real Santuario Insular de Las Nieves, the royal island sanctuary. 

It is a place where history, art and landscape form a unit. An austere church existed already in the year 1517 on this spot and has been enlarged over the centuries.

Thanks to generous donations the inside of the parish and pilgrimage church comprises magnificent fittings. Today, the Holy Virgin of the Snow appears in its splendour surrounded by precious sacral art.

San Miguel Arcángel

The sanctuary also keeps a sculpture of Archangel Michael.

He has lent his name to San Miguel de La Palma, which is the full name of the island. It was the 29th of September, his saint's day, when in 1492 Alonso Fernández de Lugo went ashore at Tazacorte.

The church with its precious woodwork, baroque altar, sculptures and paintings invites to pause for a moment.

And to get married - many bridal pairs have been exchanging their vows here.

Next to the forecourt with jacaranda trees there are the rectory, a small souvenir shop, a pilgrim's house and a Restaurant. Located above there is the Mirador de Cañones, a lookout with old cannons and a great view. .