SAN JUAN VIEWPOINT
From this viewpoint, we can see almost the entire Hermigua valley. To our right is the neighbourhood of Las Cabezadas. To our left are the neighbourhoods of Ibo Alfaro, La Vecindad, Callejón de Ordaiz, La Piedra Romana, El Tabaibal, El Palmarejo, La Punta, La Castellana and, near the sea, Santa Catalina. And above these neighbourhoods, the imposing Camacho mountain range separates the municipality of Hermigua from that of Agulo. We can also see the Barranco de Monteforte ravine running down to the sea. Opposite the viewpoint are the imposing Enchereda mountains, which separate the municipality of Hermigua from that of San Sebastián de La Gomera. The different neighbourhoods are concentrated in areas far from large ravines and on land unsuitable for agriculture, leaving the rest of the valley for agricultural plantations. The viewpoint offers splendid views of the banana plantations, avocado trees and other minor crops.
The extraordinary natural and climatic conditions of the Hermigua valley made it very attractive to the wealthier families of the new Gomera society, who were quick to introduce sugar cane cultivation in its fertile soils from the end of the 15th century onwards in order to export sugar, which was highly prized in the European markets of the time. In the 17th century, it was the vine and the export of wines that became the driving force behind the local economy.
At the end of the 19th century, banana plantations were introduced in Hermigua for export to European markets. The good climatic conditions of the valley, together with the municipality’s abundant water resources, led to a significant increase in the area under banana cultivation from the 1940s onwards. Today, banana cultivation is being replaced by avocado and other tropical fruit trees.
This natural viewpoint is located in the small square of the San Juan de La Montañeta chapel. In 1948, the residents of the Las Cabezadas neighbourhood completed the construction of this chapel, whose feast day is celebrated every year on 24 June.