Ingenio: Mills, Museums and Crafts

Ingenio brings together protected natural areas, the history of its churches and mills, local crafts and coastal areas. If you are looking for a hotel in Ingenio, these topics can help guide your travel planning. Would you mainly like to explore cultural sites, learn about traditional techniques or spend time by the sea? The town’s different facets offer specific points of interest for each.

Coast and protected natural areas

56 percent of Ingenio’s municipal area is designated as protected natural space. If this figure is important for your planning, check the current boundaries and information. At Playa del Burrero, the trade winds and wave conditions are suitable for sailing and windsurfing; however, wind and waves vary depending on the season. Playa del Burrero and the small Playa de San Agustín together have about 500 metres of coastline, with a bathing area of sand and gravel. This figure refers to both coastal areas together.

The coast offers a range of different experiences: Playa del Burrero is associated with sailing and windsurfing, while the combined description of the two beaches mentions sand and gravel. If you would like to plan your time by the water around these activities, take changing wind and wave conditions into account.

Churches, water and the history of mills

The Church of La Candelaria dates from 1901 and was built on the remains of an earlier chapel of the same name. Its history also includes the bells: migrants from Gran Canaria had them cast in Cuba in 1820 and donated them to the church. Here, architectural history and a connection across the Atlantic come together in one place.

The Museo del Agua y del Azúcar traces Ingenio’s development from the 15th century to the present through the theme of water. It comprises three independent mill buildings connected by irrigation channels. The channels carry water from the Barranco de Guayadeque. The Molino de los López offers a specific example of grain processing: this watermill dates from the 19th century and was used to grind grain for gofio until the mid-20th century.

The Casa del Reloj is also part of the Real Acequia de Aguatona. There, farmers set their clocks by the association’s clock in order to buy the water needed for irrigation. The church, museum, mill and Casa del Reloj thus shed light on different aspects of the town’s history: religious architecture, water management, grain processing and the organisation of irrigation.

Crafts, museums and walking routes

Calado lacework continues to be made in households across the municipality as a distinctive local craft tradition. The Taller Municipal de Cerámica showcases other traditional crafts, including ceramics, palm weaving, iron and brass work, stone carving, reedwork, Canarian knives and Trapera textiles. The first floor contains a work area and kilns. As access conditions at the Taller may change, check the latest visitor information before planning a visit.

The route through the historic centres of Ingenio and Carrizal follows streets lined with sculptures and murals. It offers a different way to explore the two towns than visiting individual museums, with a focus on artworks in public spaces. You can choose which stops to include based on whether you are more interested in crafts, local history or art.

The Museo del Festival Internacional de Folclore displays clothing and objects provided by more than 150 embassies of the countries participating in the festival. Interactive screens and a screening room complement the exhibition, with presentations of traditional Canarian dances such as Folia and Isa. As the facilities and programme may change, check the current presentations before your visit.

Festivals and traditional cuisine

The Festival Internacional de Folclore “Muestra Solidaria de los Pueblos” is organised every year by the cultural association Coros y Danzas de Ingenio. The programme includes daily performances, parades and workshops; dates and programme may vary. Carnival celebrations also take place over several days and in different parts of the municipality, including Ingenio centre, Carrizal and Playa del Burrero. Listed events include concerts, costume and murga competitions, and parades. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates and current programme in advance.

Ingenio’s traditional cuisine includes goat meat, roast pork, papas arrugadas with mojo, garbanzos compuestos, sweet morcilla and locally produced cheese. The traditional bread “pan de puño” is made and sold in Ingenio. The Oficina Municipal de Turismo provides visitors with information to help plan days out, holidays and activities in Ingenio. If you would like to make use of its assistance, check the latest visitor information.

Discover more destinations: Vega De San Mateo, Puerto de las Nieves, San Lorenzo, Comarca Oeste, Playa de Tasarte, Tejeda, Maspalomas, Firgas.

For the broader travel overview: Gran Canaria.