Can you imagine the hustle and bustle of this very spot, over a century ago? The Castillo del Mar stands strong on the cliffs of Vallehermoso, a silent sentinel to the past. This impressive building, with its imposing stone structure overlooking the Atlantic, was once the most important port on La Gomera. Built in 1890, it served as a banana loading station, a vital hub for the island’s once thriving export industry.
The Castillo del Mar became a bustling center of activity, with workers bringing in their precious cargo. The air would have been thick with the aroma of ripe bananas, a unique fragrance that was highly sought after in mainland markets. The Castillo also served as a landing point for the first ever car to reach the island.
The sight of the banana workers, mostly women with skilled hands, packing the fruit into ships, must have been a sight to behold. It was a time of great economic prosperity for La Gomera. However, in the 1950s, the banana trade dwindled, sending the Castillo into a period of decline. It fell into disuse, the access road was blocked by rockfalls, and the once lively atmosphere faded into quiet.
The Castillo del Mar remains a poignant reminder of La Gomera’s rich history. Now a landmark on the north coast of La Gomera, it stands as a silent guardian, a testament to a bygone era of trade and prosperity.