La Laguna (Los Llanos de Aridane)
La Laguna (also known until recently as Tajuya de abajo or La Laguna de Tajuya) is a town and neighbourhood of Los Llanos de Aridane, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. It was significantly affected by a lava flow from the 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, which destroyed hundreds of houses in the town.
La Laguna | |
|---|---|
Town | |
_01_ies.jpg.webp) Montaña de La Laguna | |
_OSM_map.jpg.webp)  La Laguna  La Laguna | |
| Coordinates: 28°37′54″N 17°54′30″W | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Canary Islands |
| Province | Santa Cruz de Tenerife |
| Island | La Palma |
| Municipality | Los Llanos de Aridane |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 1,645 |
| Time zone | UTC±00:00 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+01:00 (WEST) |
| Postcode | 38769 |
History
The town was also known as "Tajuya de abajo"[1] or "La Laguna de Tajuya", with historical references going back to the 17th century.[2]
Description
The town center is marked by the "Venta de Doña Rosario", a canopy named after a pond that formed nearby when it rained. The neighbourhood does not have many historic buildings; it is known more for the local agriculture, which has changed over the years from sugarcane, to tomato, to banana and avocado, with many small plots owned by locals.[2]
It has a parish church dedicated to San Isidro, construction of which started in June 1966, funded by local donations, and significant contributions from local women.[2]
As of 2020, it had 1645 inhabitants.[3]
Culture
It has been described as one of the more traditional Los Llanos neighbourhoods. It holds a festival in May called "La Patrona chica", a prelude to Our Lady of Los Remedios festivities in Los Llanos. It had a school since 1875.[2] It was the location of the founding of the Velia Cultural Society in 1932.[1]
Volcanic eruption
The town was affected by the 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, with the town's football field, as well as a nearby supermarket and other buildings, consumed by lava on the 14th October 2021. The town had been partially evacuated a few days earlier, which was followed by a complete evacuation of the town.[4] A filling station, followed by the school, and hundreds of houses in the town were destroyed by the lava flow shortly afterwards.[5]
Location of La Laguna within the lava flow on November 23, 2021
Extent of lava coverage with highlight of destroyed buildings i.a. in La Laguna on November 23, 2021
References
- "La Laguna". Los Llanos de Aridane (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- Herrera, Ricardo (28 May 2012). "Un cruce de caminos en pleno corazón del Valle de Aridane". Diario de Avisos (in European Spanish).
- "Instituto Nacional de Estadística. (Spanish Statistical Institute)". www.ine.es. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- "El 'monstruo' de lava arrasa con el supermercado y el campo de fútbol de La Laguna | Canariasenred - Noticias de Canarias" (in Spanish). 14 October 2021.
- Vega, Guillermo (20 October 2021). "La lava del volcán de La Palma entra en el casco urbano de La Laguna y provoca nuevas evacuaciones". El País (in Spanish).