Zona Arqueologica La Cogolla de Veneguera

La Cogolla de Veneguera Archaeological Zone preserves the remains of a pre-Hispanic native settlement located in the upper course of the Barranco de Veneguera, at roughly 350 metres above sea level, in a spot locally known as "La Cogolla". The site lies within the municipality of Mogán, on the island of Gran Canaria.

What survives at the site?

The settlement was made up of at least seven dwellings built using the dry-stone technique, without mortar. Many of these structures are now heavily eroded and difficult to make out. The houses typically had a circular outer shape combined with a cruciform or rectangular interior layout, sometimes with additional rooms attached. The buildings are arranged in a stepped pattern climbing the hillside, and in several cases the ground itself was cut back so that the walls could be set directly against the rock.

Why is it protected?

Under Decree 39/2006 of 9 May, La Cogolla de Veneguera was declared a Cultural Heritage Asset (Bien de Interés Cultural), classified as an Archaeological Zone. This designation carries the highest level of legal protection available for heritage sites in the Canary Islands, covering both the visible structures and the surrounding land.

The site forms part of Gran Canaria's wider archaeological heritage, which includes numerous remnants of settlements built by the island's indigenous population, the Canarios. Veneguera's settlement reflects a pattern common across the island: small clusters of dwellings raised on ravine slopes, close to water sources and cultivable land, allowing communities to combine shelter with access to farming resources.

What condition is the site in today?

The area is no longer in use and has no functional role beyond its heritage value. Only fragments of walls and faint outlines of the original structures remain visible, with erosion and slope movement having altered much of the original layout over time. Reading the settlement's original form today requires careful, attentive observation of the terrain.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is La Cogolla de Veneguera located? In the upper section of the Barranco de Veneguera, at around 350 metres above sea level, within the municipality of Mogán on Gran Canaria.

How many houses made up the settlement? At least seven dry-stone dwellings have been identified, though many are now considerably damaged.

Is the site legally protected? Yes. Since 2006, under Decree 39/2006, it holds the status of a Cultural Heritage Asset in the Archaeological Zone category.

Can visitors access it? The site sits on open hillside terrain reachable via trails around Veneguera, but it is not a signposted or formally managed visitor attraction. Anyone visiting should take extra care given the fragile condition of the remains.

Which historical period does the settlement belong to? The pre-Hispanic era, predating the Castilian conquest of the Canary Islands, when the archipelago was inhabited by its indigenous Canarios.