Bien de Interés Cultural, with the category of Conjunto Histórico. 2008.
These hamlets have Guanche origins (which we know thanks to the archaeological traces that are still preserved), but their history as villages dates back to the second half of the 17th century.
In its beginnings, the economic activity par excellence was extensive livestock farming, to which dry farming would be added. In this way, advantage was taken of what the environment had to offer from the summit to the vicinity of the settlement or, in some cases, to the coast.
The use of the aforementioned resources defines the landscape of these hamlets, not only because of their crops, but also because of the infrastructure that was used for this activity. Specifically, the landscape is personalised by quarries and nateros, which are spread over hills and ravines in an attempt to multiply the cultivated area. To these are added cisterns, wine presses, cellars, corrals, ovens and threshing floors.
As well as the natural and cultural attractions of the villages, there is also one of its most important festivals, the Day of Traditions, which is held in the last fortnight of July in Chirche.
Fabulous views of the municipality, excellent ethnographic examples and typical Canarian architecture are offered by these picturesque hamlets.
Houses from the 18th and 19th centuries in an excellent state of conservation and a rich ethnographic heritage led to Aripe and Chirche being declared Sites of Cultural Interest in 2008.
Some of these traditional houses have been converted into rural tourism accommodation, so we can enjoy unique surroundings that will take us back to the past.
We invite you to lose yourself in the alleys of these recently restored villages, and at the same time discover the large number of ovens, threshing floors and cisterns that were used in the past by their inhabitants. Many of them can be reached along the traditional paths of Guía de Isora.
