The origins of the island, the Guanches and the Spanish conquest

Before Tenerife became a popular destination known for its beaches and volcanic landscapes, it was inhabited by a mysterious people : the Guanches. They were the island’s first known inhabitants, probably of North African origin, who settled here several centuries before our era.

Shepherds, farmers, and craftsmen, the Guanches lived in small kingdoms called menceyatos, each ruled by a mencey (king).Their way of life was simple and closely connected to nature, with customs passed down through oral tradition. They lived in caves, wore goatskin clothing, and practiced mummification rituals that remain largely mysterious to this day.

But this ancient world would be transformed at the end of the 15th century.

The Spanish Conquest

In 1494, the arrival of the Castilians marked the beginning of a long and brutal confrontation. Despite fierce resistance — and even some Guanche victories — the Spanish forces, with their military superiority, eventually defeated the last indigenous kingdoms.

The conquest of Tenerife ended in 1496 with the surrender of the last mencey. This marked the start of a new era: Spanish colonization, the spread of Christianity, the introduction of sugar cane plantations, and the development of maritime trade.

A Living Heritage

Although the Guanches were largely assimilated, their legacy remains deeply rooted in Canarian culture: in place names, farming traditions, and words still present in local speech. Today, their history is an essential part of the island’s identity — suspended between myth and memory.