Icod de los Vinos Page Contents
Dragon Tree Gardens (Parque del Drago)
Saint Marcos Church (Iglesia de San Marcos)
Espiritu Santo Church
San Augustin Church
Icod de los Vinos Tourist Guide
Icod de los Vino's El Drago 1000 year old Dragon tree
The town of Icod de los Vino was founded in 1501. As can be guessed from it's name it is located in an area of vineyards and famous wines.
The Dragon Tree (El Drago)
If you cut into the wood of a Dragon tree it owes's a blood red rubbery sap, that looks like blood, Dragons blood thus giving the tree it's name. The tree used to be very common around the Mediterranean but ancient climate changes, ice ages etc. have brought about it's decline in many areas. The fairly constant temperature on Tenerife favours the tree.
The sap was tapped for healing purposes, mummification and a dye for toothpaste, hair dye and woodwork such as violins.
Dating the tree is usually done by counting the branches, it takes around 11 years to produce a new branch. The heart wood of the tree rots away making it impossible to count the rings. In the 18th century a German scientist stated that the tree was the oldest living thing on earth. Thought to be a 1000 years old, estimates vary between 500 3000 years old.
Unfortunately my photographs do not convey the size of the tree that stands at 17 metres high and a 6 metre trunk circumference.
Dragon Tree Gardens (Parque del Drago)
The dragon Tree is growing in the Dragon Tree Gardens which also contains many other endemic species. Look out for the smaller & younger dragon trees and there is also a dragon tree nursery.
The entrance to the park is at the narrow top end of the park, up the hill between the Dragon Tree House & Saint Marcos Church and round the corner to the right.
Dragon Tree House (La Casa del Drago)
House Description
- Used to be a house but now a beautiful tourist shop & cafeteria.
- Bar cafeteria
- Wine Shop
- Craft Shop
Behind the house is a small garden with views of the famous Dragon Tree which is located in the Dragon Park, just beyond the garden wall
The garden has additional interesting trees, fauna and views. Go down the stairs just inside the entrance.
Dragon Tree House Location
La Casa del Drago, Archpriest Ossuna Street 3 Icod 38430
The house is located across the road from San Marcos Church
Website
Drago Tree from Casa Drago Garden
Casa Drago Fountain
Casa Drago Garden
Drago Tree showing the top branches
Blooms of flowers in the Casa Drago Garden
Saint Marcos Church (Iglesia de San Marcos)
The tree can be viewed for free from the square near to the 16th century parish church, Iglesia de San Marcos. The church has an interesting Baroque interior, look for the wood ceiling, the silver filigree 2 metre high cross, the 18thcentury altar and valuable works of arts.
View of San Marcos Church through the trees
San Marcos Church Tower & Palm Trees
Icod de los Vinos Town Hall
Town Hall Icod de los Vinos
Photo by Secret Tenerife
Canarian wooden balconies and woodwork
Icod de los Vinos is also famous for it's beautifully carved wooded balconies that exist of many of it's buildings.
Balconies Icod de los Vinos 1
Balconies Icod de los Vinos
Plaza de La Pila
The small Plaza de La Pila is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the Canary Islands and is surrounded by some marvellous old homes including the Casa de los Cáceres
The fountain shown is sometimes a fountain and sometimes a giant plant pot.
Some of the botanical specimens in the plaza are extremely unusual.
Multi- headed Livistona chinensis Tree
Photo by Scott Zona
Plaza de La Pila Fountain
Photo by Secret Tenerife
(Casa de los Cáceres) Museum
A small 3 floored mansion with 365 doorways & windows, now used as a museum and also has cultural activities, exhibitions & acts.
Casa de los Cáceres, Plaza de la Constitucion, 9, 38430 Icod de los Vinos
Icod de los Vinos Buses
- Buses are operated by Titsa
- The bus station (Estation de Guaguas de Icod de los Vinos), is located at Calle Francisco Miranda, 8, 38430 Icod de los Vinos
- There are several bus stops on the main roads through out Icod de los Vinos
- There ia a handy taxi rank outside the bus station.
