Santa Ana Church

The Church of Santa Ana is located in the village of Casillas del Angel, within the municipality of Puerto del Rosario, and is one of the most unique examples of religious architecture in the interior of Fuerteventura. Its construction is located in the first half of the eighteenth century, at a time of economic and demographic growth of the island, and was the subject of a major expansion and remodeling towards the end of that century, as reflected in the inscription preserved on a plaque on the facade.

The enlargement works gave rise to a temple with a considerable longitudinal nave, covered with a gabled roof with exposed tile. The presbytery, clearly differentiated in height, has a hipped roof, reinforcing its prominence within the whole. The sacristy is attached to the south wall and communicates directly with the presbytery. Access to the church is through two doors: the main one, located at the foot of the church, and a second side door opening in the south wall.

The façade is one of the most outstanding and singular elements of the church, made entirely of ashlars of exposed black stone, an unusual feature in the religious architecture of the island. The doorway is topped with a semicircular arch, above which there is a small cornice. Above this there is a wide frieze that houses a cartouche with the date of the work and the reference to the steward responsible for the intervention, Mr. Miguel Blas Vázquez. A second cornice separates this body from the belfry, which has three openings for bells: two larger ones in the lower part and a smaller one above them.

Inside, the church has a wooden roof resting on a sill decorated with cordon. The thrusts are counterbalanced by paired suspenders decorated with geometric motifs of lacework. The presbytery is covered with an octagonal structure resting on pendentives and decorated with a central pinjante, while at the foot of the church is the choir.

Since its erection in the eighteenth century, the Church of Santa Ana became the backbone of the urban development of Casillas del Ángel, forming a nucleus that still retains its original spatial and landscape structure. In 1790, the temple was elevated to the category of parish, segregated from the jurisdiction of Betancuria, which reinforced its central role in the social and religious life of the village.

The church was declared of Cultural Interest with Monument category on June 21, 1991, recognition that underlines its historical, architectural and patrimonial value. This degree of protection includes not only the building itself, but also its immediate surroundings, with the aim of preserving the values that have determined its consideration as one of the most important monuments of the cultural heritage of Fuerteventura.

The Church of Santa Ana is today an essential visit to understand the history, architecture and identity of the interior of the island, and a key stop within the cultural routes that run through the municipality of Puerto del Rosario.

Visit and Location

Located in the heart of Casillas del Angel, the church is accessible from Puerto del Rosario through the FV-20 road, traveling approximately 11 kilometers. Its peaceful setting and historical relevance make it a must for those who wish to delve into the cultural richness of the island.

The Church of Santa Ana is not only a place of worship, but also a living testimony of the history and traditions of Fuerteventura, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the devotion of its inhabitants.