The streets of Puerto de la Cruz in North Tenerife are something not to be missed if you visit the island. Filled with little bars and cafes, a mixture of tourists and friendly locals enjoying their morning coffee or a small glass of local afrutado wine, they animatedly chat or watch the world go by.
When their batteries have been recharged, it is time to take a stroll through the streets with its interesting mix of historical and modern buildings. Streets where you can fill your lungs with wonderful, clean, fresh air, immersing yourself in the culture and heritage of the Portuenses.
For writers, poets and literary buffs, the grand old house on Calle San Juan and the corner of Calle Iriarte is a must. A typical-looking Canarian building, but it is the history hidden behind four walls that is interesting.
Casa Iriarte, yellow in colour with its wooden balconies, is like many others in the city to look at; this house, built in the late 18th century, belonged to the Iriarte family. A family of linguists, scholars and diplomats.
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| Casa Iriarte |
One member of the family, Tomás Iriarte, was a prominent poet, playwright, linguist and composer of fables, and is held in reverence in the city, with the local public library bearing his name. His book of 67 fables was published in 1782 and continues to be used as a teaching tool. The tales are dominated by the animal world. One such fable is titled El Burro Flautista, translated as the Flute-playing Donkey, and like the others in the book, it has a moral tale to tell.
The local library is named after the greatly admired Tomás Iriarte, and I believe. Having a library named after you would be a place that any writer would happily be remembered posthumously.
