Slipping through time, we find ourselves at Cueva Ronquillo. This isn’t just any cave. It’s a whisper from La Gomera’s past, a time capsule sealed in volcanic rock. Cueva Ronquillo sits at an altitude of 375 meters, carved into a reddish-orange tosca level. It’s nestled within a landscape of stacked lava flows, where other caves and even a necropolis lie hidden. Imagine this cave in the first century AD. Newly arrived inhabitants from Africa, making La Gomera their home. Archaeological digs starting in 2009 revealed this early occupation. The variety of artifacts found within Cueva Ronquillo paint a picture of domestic life from that era. This cave offers something unique on La Gomera: a clear, undisturbed archaeological record. The steep terrain and frequent reuse of spaces often erase the layers of history. But Cueva Ronquillo holds these stories, protected in its earthen embrace. Its size and consistent shape make it an ideal dwelling, echoing with the lives of those early settlers. Nearby, two burial caves tell another piece of the story. This spatial relationship, living spaces near resting places, is a pattern found across the island. This reminds us that life and death, past and present, are interwoven into the very fabric of La Gomera. The surrounding canyons, north and south, are rich with archaeological sites, each with a story to tell. But Cueva Ronquillo offers a privileged glimpse, a direct connection to the island’s earliest inhabitants. It’s a portal to a time when La Gomera welcomed its first generation from across the sea, a heritage preserved in the heart of this remarkable cave.
Playa de Santa Catalina
Gazing at the rhythmic crash of waves against the black sand, one might wonder about the secrets held within Playa