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100 BCE
first inhabitants
The area around the current city has been inhabited since Guanche times (the ancient native inhabitants of Tenerife). The Guanches settled in the area at the same time as in the rest of the island approximately 2,000 years ago, according to the archaeological sites found. -
1496
San Cristobal de La Lagyna Foundation
San Cristóbal de La Laguna was founded on the side of the old Aguere lagoon, which, as happened in other cities around the world such as Mexico City, the lagoon had to be dynamited at the time due to the state of the water, it dried up and gave rise to the growth of the city. -
1582
Black Death Epidemic
In 1582, the city suffered a virulent epidemic of the Black Death, which was an outbreak that occurred between 1582 and 1583 on the island of Tenerife, Spain. It is currently believed that it caused between 5,000 and 9,000 deaths on an island with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants at the time1 (approximately 25-45% of the island's population). This epidemic is also known as the Plague of Landres. -
Social development
The city was formed little by little in the first centuries, settling in it the elite and aristocracy of the time, as well as the religious power. La Laguna was at this time the cradle of the Enlightenment in the Canary Islands. -
Spanish War of Independence
La Laguna played a crucial role during the Spanish War of Independence, since when Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Cádiz, the capital of Spain was transferred to the Canary Islands, controlling the territories not yet dominated by Napoleon (Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Cartagena, Galicia and the American colonies , in addition to the Philippines and Spanish Micronesia) -
Absorption of municipalities
Around 1850, San Cristóbal de La Laguna absorbed the then independent municipalities of Tejina, Punta del Hidalgo and Valle de Guerra. -
The Lagoon, a World Heritage Site
In 1999 the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its great cultural and urban variety, due to its conservation of emblematic buildings in the historic center. -
Salazar de Frías Palace fire
On January 23, 2006, a fire destroyed the Palace of the Salazar de Frías family, which until now was the episcopal seat of the bishopric of Tenerife. It was a 17th century building, although it was not the bishop's residence until the end of the 19th century. In 2009 it was completely rebuilt -
Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem
On January 31, 2010, the Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, made up of the Knights of the Canary Islands Section and the Archdiocese of Seville, located its headquarters for the entire Canary Islands in the Church of Los Dolores de La Laguna. -
Population increase
Between the first years of the 20th century and the present, La Laguna has undergone a tremendous demographic increase, going from having 18,152 inhabitants in the first years of the 20th century, to currently having 158,010 inhabitants. This is due to the tourist boom that the island of Tenerife has suffered in recent years and the establishment of the University of La Laguna.