Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the island, is located in the north-eastern part of the island set in magnificent scenery composed of two bays and their beautiful beaches – Playa de las Canteras and Playa de las Alcaravaneras. Founded in 1478, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria boasts an important historical and cultural heritage, much of which can be found in the district of Vegueta, the oldest quarter of the town, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. Originating from a Castillian military encampment on the right hillside of the ravine Barranco de Guiniguada – where the San Antonio Abad chapel is located today – the first settlement, named Real de Las Palmas, expanded towards the banks of the ravine developing into the quarters of Vegueta and Triana on the right and left bank of the Barranco de Guiniguada. Today, Las Palmas’ major highway, Calle Juan de Quesada, which crosses the Barranco de Guiniguada and leads out of town to the centre of the island, separates these two historic quarters.

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