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Icod de los Vinos Tourist Guide
| Dragon Tree | Dragon Tree House | Dragon Tree | Saint Marcos Church (Iglesia de San Marcos) | Espiritu Santo Church | San Augustin Church | Town Hall |
Icod de los Vino's El Drago 1000 year old Dragon tree
The town of Icod de los Vino was founded in 1501. As can be guessed from it's name it is located in an area of vineyards and famous wines.
The Dragon Tree (El Drago)
If you cut into the wood of a Dragon tree it ouse's a blood red rubbery sap, that looks like blood, Dragons blood thus giving the tree it's name. The tree used to be very common around the Mediterranean but ancient climate changes, ice ages etc. have brought about it's decline in many areas. The fairly constant temperature on Tenerife favours the tree.
The sap was tapped for healing purposes, mummification and a dye for toothpaste, hair dye and woodwork such as violins.
Dating the tree is usually done by counting the branches, it takes around 11 years to produce a new branch. The heart wood of the tree rots away making it impossible to count the rings. In the 18th century a German scientist stated that the tree was the oldest living thing on earth. Thought to be a 1000 years old, estimates vary between 500 3000 years old.
Unfortunately my photographs do not convey the size of the tree that stands at 17 metres high and a 6 metre trunk circumference.
Dragon Tree Gardens (Parque del Drago)
The dragon Tree is growing in the Dragon Tree Gardens which also contains many other endemic species. Look out for the smaller & younger dragon trees and there is also a dragon tree nursery.
The entrance to te park is at the narrow top end of the park, up the hill between the Dragon Tree House & Saint Marcos Church and round the corner to the right.
Dragon Tree House (La Casa del Drago)
Dragon Tree House Description
Entering the house is like entering a tourist shop full of souveners.
Behind the house is a small garden with views of the famouse Dragon Tree which is located in the Dragon Park, just beyond the garden wall
The garden has additional interesting trees, fauna and views. Go down the stairs just inside the entrance.
Dragon Tree House Location
The house is located across the road from San Marcos Church
 Casa Drago Drago Tree |
 Casa Drago Garden |
 Casa Drago Garden Blooms |
 Casa Drago Fountain |
 Drago Tree Top |
Saint Marcos Church (Iglesia de San Marcos)
The tree can be viewed for free from the square near to the 16th century parish church, Iglesia de San Marcos. The church has an interesting Baroque interior, look for the wood ceiling, the silver filigree 2 metre high cross, the 18th century alta and valuable works of arts.
 San Marcos Church |
 San Marcos Church 1 |
The Town Hall
Town Hall Icod de los Vinos
Photo by Secret Tenerife
Canarian wooden balconies and woodwork
 Balconies Icod de los Vino 1 |
 Balconies Icod de los Vino |
Plaza de La Pila
The small Plaza de La Pila is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the Canary Islands and is surrounded by some marvelouse old homes including the Casa de los Cáceres
The fountain shown is sometimes a fountain and sometimes a giant plant pot.
Some of the botanical specimes in the plaza are extremly unusual.
 multi headed Livistona chinensis Photo by Scott Zona |
 Plaza de La Pila Fountain Photo by Secret Tenerife |
Caceres House (Casa de los Cáceres) Museum