Plaza and hermitage of San Antonio Abad

In what is now the Plaza de San Antonio Abad was founded in 1478 the Real de Las Palmas, origin of the city. There Juan Rejón, at the head of the army sent by the Catholic Monarchs to conquer Gran Canaria, placed the military camp and a chapel. It was the first church of the city and seat of the cathedral until 1500, when it was moved to the Cathedral of Santa Ana. Then it lost this condition and was renamed hermitage of San Antonio Abad.

The present building dates from 1757. Of simple and sober construction, it has a beautiful baroque altarpiece. It is located in a small stone square, next to the Sala San Antonio Abad -one of the headquarters of the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno- and the Casa de Colón.

On the facade of the chapel, a plaque reminds us that Christopher Columbus prayed there during one of his stays on the island before traveling to the New World.

Visiting hours:
From Monday to Saturday: from 10:00 to 14:00.