Conjunto histórico de Los Silos

Conjunto histórico de Los Silos is a protected historic urban ensemble in the town of Los Silos, on the northwest coast of Tenerife, within the region known as Comarca de Daute (La Isla Baja). Los Silos is the administrative capital of the municipality that bears its name, bordering Buenavista del Norte, El Tanque and Garachico. Since 2004, the old town centre has held the legal status of Bien de Interés Cultural under the category Conjunto Histórico, meaning the entire urban layout — not just individual buildings — is protected by law.

Where does the town's name come from?

The name Los Silos dates back to the earliest years following the Castilian conquest of the Canary Islands. At that time, three grain stores ("silos" in Spanish) were built in this part of the island to hold grain for the first settlers who arrived in the area. The town's current name comes directly from these storage buildings. From its founding, the settlement was closely tied to agriculture — cereal crops, sugar cane and grapevines were the main products — and these three activities shaped the local economy and culture for centuries.

Why was the town centre declared a cultural asset?

What makes the Conjunto histórico de Los Silos stand out is above all the exceptional state of preservation of its old quarter. The original street layout has survived largely intact, and the uniform character of the architecture — traditional Canarian townhouses with wooden balconies, narrow streets and small squares — forms a coherent whole that serves as a valuable record of the past. It is precisely this architectural homogeneity, rarely found in such good condition elsewhere on Tenerife, that was the main reason the whole ensemble was granted legal protection.

What can visitors see in the historic centre?

The heart of the old town is the parish church of Nuestra Señora de La Luz. The church dates back to 1570, making it one of the oldest religious buildings in this part of the island. Inside, it houses a sculpture carved by a Sevillian workshop in the 16th century. The building's current appearance is the result of a 19th-century renovation in neo-Gothic style, with the façade designed by the architect Mariano Estanga, which gave the church a more monumental look. Beyond the church, a walk through the old town reveals typical Canarian residential architecture, with its characteristic wooden balconies and interior patios.

How to get to Los Silos?

Los Silos sits in the northwest of Tenerife, close to Garachico and Buenavista del Norte — towns that, together with Los Silos, form a route popular with visitors exploring the historic settlements of the Isla Baja area. Compared with the more tourist-heavy south of the island, this region stands out for its quieter pace, lush greenery, and proximity to both the mountains and the coast.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Los Silos and El Casco? El Casco is the name of the population entity that serves as the administrative centre of the Los Silos municipality — in practice, it is the historic town centre described here.

When was the historic centre granted protected status? It was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural under the Conjunto Histórico category in 2004.

What is the main attraction of the old town? The church of Nuestra Señora de La Luz, with its 16th-century sculpture, along with the well-preserved, uniform Canarian architecture featuring wooden balconies.

What did the residents of Los Silos historically live on? Agriculture — growing cereal, sugar cane and grapevines — which shaped the town's economy and identity for centuries.