San Sebastian de la Gomera history

Foundation and Early Pages of History

The history of modern San Sebastian de la Gomera begins in the mid-15th century. The foundation of the city was laid with the arrival of Castilian settlers led by Hernán Peraza the Elder around 1440. This time is considered the starting point in the formation of the island's capital.

The construction of the Torre del Conde (Tower of the Count) — a military fortress erected to protect the settlement — became a symbol of the foundation and consolidation of power. Today, it is one of the oldest preserved buildings in the Canary Islands, around which the city has expanded over the centuries.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into a significant seaport was due to a unique combination of geographical and historical circumstances:

• Strategic geography: The city is located in a convenient natural bay, protected from strong ocean winds, which made it an ideal harbour for sailing vessels.
• Role in the Age of Discovery: San Sebastian de la Gomera gained worldwide fame thanks to Christopher Columbus. In 1492, as well as during subsequent expeditions, the great navigator stopped here to replenish supplies before crossing the Atlantic.
• Political centre: As the capital of the lordship, the city concentrated administrative power and trade, connecting the island with the outside world.

Early Culture and Economy

The economic life of the early city was inextricably linked to the sea. Locals supplied transit ships with fresh water, food, and timber. The legendary well, Pozo de la Aguada, preserved to this day, is a reminder of those times when water from La Gomera was sent to the shores of the New World.

The cultural appearance was formed as a synthesis of European traditions and the heritage of the indigenous population. This was reflected in architecture, particularly in the construction of the Church of the Assumption (Iglesia de la Asunción), which became the spiritual centre of the city and a witness to its historical formation.

Major Historical Milestones

• Circa 1440: Hernán Peraza the Elder founds a settlement at the mouth of the ravine, marking the beginning of the history of the island's future capital.
• Mid-15th century: Construction of the Torre del Conde — the main fortress for the protection of Castilian settlers, which has survived to this day.
• 1488: The "Rebellion of the Gomeros" against feudal power, during which Beatriz de Bobadilla was besieged in the tower.
• 1492: Christopher Columbus stops at the port to replenish supplies of water and food before discovering the Americas.
• 1493 and 1498: The great navigator visits the city again during his second and third expeditions to the New World.
• 1599: The city is attacked by a Dutch fleet under the command of Admiral Pieter van der Does.
• 1618: A devastating raid by Barbary pirates, causing serious damage to buildings and the population.
• 1743: Local militia successfully repel an attack by an English squadron under the command of Charles Wyndham.
• 18th Century: The final formation of the architectural appearance of the Church of the Assumption, combining elements of Gothic, Mudéjar, and Baroque styles.
• 1837: Abolition of the seigneurial regime, after which San Sebastian receives the status of a modern municipality.
• Late 19th Century: Economic revival of the region thanks to cochineal exports and agricultural development.
• Mid-20th Century: Large-scale modernization of the port, turning it into the main maritime gateway of the island for passenger and merchant ships.
• 2012: The island of La Gomera, of which the city is the administrative centre, receives UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.

Stages of Urban and Cultural Development

The appearance of San Sebastian de la Gomera has been shaped over centuries, evolving from a military outpost to a cosy administrative and tourist centre. Below are the key processes that defined the modern look and lifestyle of the city:

• Formation of the historical core around Torre del Conde.
  The construction of the fortress and subsequent development of the surrounding areas laid the foundation for the city layout. Today, the extensive park around the tower serves as the main green artery connecting the port zone with residential quarters.
• Architectural evolution of the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
  The city's main temple was rebuilt and expanded several times, especially after pirate raids. The building became a dominant urban feature, around which a network of old streets formed, preserving the authentic atmosphere of the colonial era.
• Agrarian transformations of the 19th century.
  The boom in cochineal production, and later the cultivation of bananas and tomatoes for export, led to a significant influx of capital. This was reflected in the city's appearance: representative mansions in the Canarian style with carved wooden balconies appeared, which today adorn the central streets.
• Creation of the National Parador (Parador de La Gomera).
  The transformation of a historical manor into a high-class state hotel set the direction for the development of quality cultural tourism. The building, rising on a cliff above the city, became a standard of Canarian architecture and a symbol of hospitality.
• Global modernization of the port in the late 20th century.
  The reconstruction of the harbour allowed for the reception of not only private yachts but also large cruise liners and high-speed ferries. This event finally secured the city's status as the island's main transport and logistics hub, linking it with Tenerife and the mainland.

Urban Development and Structure

The urban planning structure of San Sebastian de la Gomera is dictated by its geographical position. The city developed linearly: from the coast and the strategically important bay deep into the valley, along the ravine bed. The historical core formed around the first defensive structures and fresh water sources, gradually growing with residential quarters and administrative buildings.

A distinctive feature of the urban development is the harmonious combination of the military severity of the early period and the cosy aesthetics of traditional island architecture. There are no monumental avenues here; instead, there is a network of narrow streets and small squares, maintaining a scale proportionate to the individual.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The architectural appearance of the capital of La Gomera represents an eclectic fusion of styles characteristic of the Canary Islands, where European canons were adapted to local materials and the climate.

• Late Gothic (15th Century). The brightest example is the Torre del Conde. This military fortification is executed in a strict style, devoid of excess. White walls with stone masonry at the corners (hewn red stone) demonstrate the functionality of defensive architecture from the time of early colonization.
• Mudéjar and Gothic (15th–16th Centuries). The influence of Moorish traditions, arriving from the south of Spain, is clearly traced in church architecture. The Church of the Assumption (Iglesia de la Asunción) conceals within its walls magnificent wooden coffered ceilings (artesonado) in the Mudéjar style, combining with the Gothic pointed arches of the naves.
• Baroque (17th–18th Centuries). During this period, religious structures received more lavish decoration. The facade of the city's main church, particularly its central portal made of red tuff, bears features of restrained Canarian Baroque, adding solemnity to the building.
• Traditional Canarian Style (17th–19th Centuries). Civil architecture is represented by two-storey mansions with thick stone walls, whitewash, and tiled roofs. Key elements include carved wooden balconies, inner courtyards (patios) with gardens, and the use of volcanic stone in decor. Examples include Casa de Colón and Casa de la Aguada.

Influence on the Modern Look

In the 20th century, the architectural development of the city continued with respect for historical heritage. The Parador de La Gomera building, constructed in the middle of the century, is a standard of the Neo-Canarian style (regionalism). Architects recreated the atmosphere of an old manor using traditional materials and planning solutions, allowing this large object to blend organically into the landscape above the city.

Outstanding Figures in the City's History

The history of San Sebastian de la Gomera is inextricably linked with the names of great navigators, rulers, and reformers, whose fates intertwined with the development of this port and the island's capital.

• Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón)
  Navigator and discoverer (15th Century)
  The most famous figure associated with the city. San Sebastian became the last port where the admiral replenished supplies of water and food before his first voyage to the shores of the Americas in 1492. His visits forever secured the title of the "Columbian" island for La Gomera.
• Beatriz de Bobadilla
  Ruler of the island, "La Señora" (15th Century)
  An influential and strong-willed lady who governed the island after the death of her husband, Hernán Peraza the Younger. She is attributed with a romantic connection to Columbus, which contributed to the navigator returning to the port of San Sebastian multiple times during his expeditions.
• Hernán Peraza the Elder (Hernán Peraza el Viejo)
  Conquistador and founder (15th Century)
  A Castilian nobleman who laid the foundations of the modern city. It was by his order that the famous Torre del Conde (Tower of the Count) was built — the main defensive structure and symbol of the Crown's power on the island.
• Antonio José Ruiz de Padrón
  Priest and political figure (18th–19th Centuries)
  A native of San Sebastian who played an important role in the history of Spain. As a deputy of the Cortes of Cádiz, he became one of the main initiators of the abolition of the Spanish Inquisition. A monument in his honour has been erected in the city.
• Hautacuperche
  Leader of the indigenous population (15th Century)
  A legendary leader of the Guanches (Gomeros), who became a symbol of resistance to colonization. He led the rebellion of 1488, during which the cruel ruler Hernán Peraza the Younger was killed, leading to the siege of the Torre del Conde.