Architecture, handicrafts and gastronomy
The popular architecture of La Gomera is similar to that of the other islands, and it is the result of blending a range of different cultural currents of Spanish and European origin. For this reason, there is a great variety of building styles, plus the fact that all of them have had to adapt to the geographic and scenic diversity of the Archipelago.
Houses vary depending on whether they are built in a gorge, on top of a mountain or close to the sea, adapting to the site and protect its inhabitants from adverse geographic conditions. That is why there are differences between rural and urban houses. The urban house has more foreign elements and blends in less with the natural environment, two factors that determine a specific type of traditional urban dwelling: houses have an entrance courtyard and a vegetable garden at the back for growing small quantities of produce. In the countryside, on the other hand, houses form part of their natural and agricultural surroundings, making them one of the ingredients of the farming landscape, reflecting the needs of the men, animals and farming utensils they shelter.
The materials used are pine wood, hard, tough heartwood, basalt rock and Arab tiles, which are highly fragile because of the poor quality of the clays to be found on the island.
Traditional architecture continues to play its role as a component of the rural landscape, but it has lost the function it had up until well into the first half of the 20th century. New life styles, emigration and the loss of competitiveness of the traditional crops have caused people to move out of farming, making traditional architecture more of a museum piece today than a functional element. Its recovery and conservation is due to the appearance of other uses, such as the second home and rural tourism.
The traditional craft work of La Gomera is varied and functional. The best known is the pottery, made by the cottage industry without a potter’s wheel since the time of the aboriginal Guanches. It is made from clay, sand and red ochre, the typical materials of the foothills. The result is a noble variety of pots and recipients used in the household chores (potato dish, water jugs, milking bucket, brassier, etc.). The pottery made in Chipude and El Cercado is known for its rudimentary appearance and tradition.
Wood is used to make the well known "chacaras" (large castanets) and "morteras" (mortars with a handle), made from local species from the laurel forest (ebony and tree heath), as well as from imported species (blackberry, wall nut, chestnut).
Plants are used mainly for making useful objects like baskets, bags, hats, etc., which are carefully made from ferns, palm leaves, rushes, rattan, cane, strips of banana leaf, etc.
Finally, mention must be made of the looms that are used to make beautiful patchwork bed co
The cuisine of La Gomera shares certain characteristics with the cuisine of the rest of the Canary Islands. but the peculiarities of the gastronomic tradition of one of the smallest islands of the archipelago make it original, simple and delicious. The geographic setting of the island has determined the ingredients of its cuisine, i.e., the crops that grow here (yams, palms, vines, tropical trees, etc.), what the seas around provide (parrot fish) and the livestock (the goat).
Some of the most typical Gomera dishes are:
Almogrote: made from matured goat’s milk cheese, garlic, red pepper, salt and sometimes with tomatoes and paprika, it is used as a paste to spread on bread or to accompany potatoes.
Potaje de ñame, or yam broth: with yams, plus a coriander or pepper based sauce, the people of La Gomera make a delicious broth that is traditionally served in a mortera, a kind of wooden bowl with a handle that is also used for making mojo sauces.
Restaurantes en Playa de Santiago:
Rte. Bodegón del Mar (+34) 922 89 51 35
Rte. Chino Fulin (+34) 922 89 57 28
Rte. La Cuevita (+34) 922 89 55 68
Rte. Junonia (+34) 922 89 54 50
Rte. Casanova (+34) 922 89 50 02
Rte. Playa (+34) 922 89 51 47
Rte. Casa Clemente (Alajeró) (+34) 922 89 57 21
Rte. Pizzeria Don Tomate (+34) 922 89 55 45