Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Luz

Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Luz is the historic parish church of Los Silos, a small town on the north-west coast of Tenerife. It stands on Plaza de la Luz, the town's main square, and together with the buildings around it forms a historic quarter recognised as a site of cultural value.

Where did the church come from?

A modest hermitage — the first place of worship in the area — once stood where the church stands today, dating back to the late 16th century. Over the following centuries the building was enlarged, until architect Mariano Estanga gave it its current form in the early 20th century. Interestingly, the original stone façade was never demolished: it survives underneath the neo-Gothic front that visitors see today.

What will you find inside and out?

From the outside, the whitewashed neo-Gothic façade with its central bell tower is the most eye-catching feature. Inside, a single nave holds three religious images that matter most to locals:

• the Baroque carving of the Santísimo Cristo de la Misericordia, attributed to an Andalusian sculptural workshop,
• the Señor de la Humildad y Paciencia,
• and the Virgen de la Luz — patroness of the town and the church's namesake.

A local legend surrounds the Virgin's image: tradition holds that it reached Los Silos when a Portuguese fisherman found it washed up on the coast.

How do you get there, and what's nearby?

The church sits right at the heart of Los Silos, on Plaza de la Luz — a square built around a distinctive central kiosk framed by symmetrical gardens. Redesigned in 1923, the plaza remains the town's social hub, where residents still gather to talk, celebrate and pass the time. Los Silos lies on the main road running along Tenerife's north-west coast, between Garachico and Buenavista del Norte, so a visit to the church pairs naturally with a walk through the historic centre.

Right on the same square, it's worth stepping into the former Convent of San Sebastián, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1986. It now houses a public library, an exhibition hall, and a visitor information point where you can learn more about the area.

When is the best time to visit?

The town's standout date is 8 September, the feast day of the Virgen de la Luz — one of the most important events on the local calendar, filled with processions and religious celebrations that bring crowds to the square. Outside that date, the church and plaza are best visited in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun is lower and the cafés around the square offer some welcome shade.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the church? Yes, as an active parish it's generally open to visitors outside service times — keep quiet and be respectful of anyone praying.

How long does a visit take? The interior alone takes about 15–20 minutes, but pair it with a walk around Plaza de la Luz and the historic quarter and you should set aside at least an hour.

Is there an entrance fee? No, entry to the church is free.

What else should I see in Los Silos besides the church? Beyond Plaza de la Luz and the former Convent of San Sebastián, it's worth exploring the rest of the historic quarter and stopping by the nearby Casa de la Parra, one of the area's distinctive historic buildings.