Achbinico Cave

Natural cave adjoining the Basilica of CandelariaLinked to the Guanche veneration of the Virgin of CandelariaRegarded as the first Christian place of worship in the Canaries

Achbinico Cave, also known as San Blas Cave, is a natural cave located next to the Basilica of Candelaria. According to tradition, it was the place where the Guanches venerated the image of the Virgin of Candelaria before the conquest of Tenerife, and it is documented as the first Christian temple in the Güímar valley after the island joined the Crown of Castile. For this reason it is regarded as the first Christian sanctuary or place of worship in the Canary Islands.

Gallery

Statue of the Virgin of Candelaria inside the Cave of Achbinico (Cueva de San Blas), Candelaria, Tenerife. — Jordane Prestrot (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ermita de San Blas, built in front of the Cave of Achbinico (Cueva de San Blas), the first Christian sanctuary in the Canary Islands, in Candelaria, Tenerife. — Koppchen (CC BY 3.0)

Cave of Achbinico (Cueva de San Blas) at Punta de San Blas, next to the Basilica of Candelaria, Tenerife. — rene boulay (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Essential information

Accessibility

It is located at the end of Paseo de San Blas, behind the Basilica of Candelaria (38530 Candelaria), under the coastal cliff of La Magdalena, a few minutes' walk from the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias (the adjacent Basilica has the address Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, 1). By car, it can be reached via the TF-1 and TF-283 to Candelaria, with public parking by the sea in the center, from where you can walk to the sanctuary.