The story of Cathedral Basilica of St. Ann

The Cathedral of Santa Ana is considered the most important monument of religious architecture in the Canary Islands. Work began in 1500, when Diego de Muros was bishop, and the first services were held in 1570, on the eve of Corpus Christi. The church was rebuilt and refurbished in the eighteenth century by the architect Diego Nicolás Eduardo, whose plans were approved by the royal academy of art in Madrid.

Until 1819 this was the only cathedral in the Canary Islands. Inside, the Gothic design holds a surprise: the tall columns are carved to look like palm trees, spreading into the vaults above like branches. The cathedral stands in the Vegueta district beside the Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana, the old heart of Las Palmas.

Walk into the nave and look up at the stone palm trees.