Hermitage of San Diego del Monte

The Hermitage of San Diego del Monte is a former Franciscan convent and chapel on the outskirts of San Cristóbal de La Laguna in Tenerife, tucked into the wooded slopes of the Mesa Mota hill. It stands as one of the island's oldest religious sites, with a history full of twists dating back to the early 17th century.

How was the hermitage founded?

The site owes its existence to Juan de Ayala, who in 1615 handed over his estate and rights to the Franciscan friars of San Diego. The first vicar, Father Gonzalo Temudo, formed the resident monastic community together with twelve friars in 1648, though construction of the church and convent building itself was not finished until 1672. For decades afterward, the property was contested between the Franciscans and the Dominicans — a dispute finally settled by a papal bull in 1677 that awarded the hermitage permanently to the Franciscans.

What happened to the convent afterward?

The building's fate changed with Spain's 19th-century church-property reforms. Following the disentailment decree of 1821, which forced the sale of church-held assets, the convent was put up for auction and passed into private hands in 1839. Despite the change of ownership and use, the structure has survived to the present day as a record of the religious and architectural history of the La Laguna area. On 22 May 2015, the hermitage was officially declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Site of Cultural Interest) in the Monument category, confirming its historical value for the Canary Islands.

What will you see on site?

Visitors find a modest but atmospheric former monastic church alongside the remains of the convent buildings, set among suburban woodland. The surrounding area is a popular starting point for walkers and hikers — the Parque Pedro González and Mesa Mota hill offer trails that combine nature with history, with views over the La Laguna valley and the nearby hills.

When to visit, and what tradition is tied to the hermitage?

The site is especially known for a popular local festival called the "Fuga de San Diego" (Flight of San Diego), a living tradition tied to the hermitage's patron saint that still draws residents from La Laguna and the surrounding area today. It's worth planning a visit around this celebration to experience the site not just as a monument, but as a living part of local culture. Otherwise, morning hours tend to be best for walking the surrounding trails, given the mild climate typical of Tenerife's higher-elevation areas.

How do you get there?

The hermitage sits on the edge of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, in the Mesa Mota hill area, reached via signposted walking trails connecting to Parque Pedro González. It's an easy stop whether arriving by car or on foot as part of a short excursion from the center of La Laguna — a UNESCO World Heritage city — making the hermitage a natural addition to a visit to the historic center.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded the San Diego del Monte convent? Juan de Ayala founded it, handing his estate over to the Franciscan friars of San Diego in 1615; the resident community was formally established in 1648 under Father Gonzalo Temudo.

When was the church and convent building completed? Final construction was completed in 1672, even though the foundation and first monastic community had already been active since the mid-17th century.

Is the hermitage legally protected? Yes — on 22 May 2015 it was listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Site of Cultural Interest) in the Monument category, guaranteeing protection of its historical and architectural value.

What is the "Fuga de San Diego"? It's a local popular festival tied to the hermitage's patron saint, a living cultural tradition among La Laguna residents that continues to be celebrated and draws visitors during its festivities.