Betancuria is the oldest settlement on Fuerteventura. Jean de Béthencourt arrived on the island in 1405. He settled on what he thought to be the best place on the island and it is his name that over time corrupted into Betancuria. Nowadays several hundred people live there, mostly descendents of the original population, the Guanches. Jean's house, as well as a small chapel from that time can still be seen there. The ruins of Fuerteventura's first monastery can be found in Betancuria. The Franciscans built the monastery, but pirates that operated from nearby Morocco destroyed it. In 1593 they also destroyed the gothic Iglesia de Santa María that was originally built in 1410 and the church you can see nowadays is a replica that was built in the 17th century. It boasts beautiful works in Mudejar-style and painted choir-stalls of the wood of the Canarian pine. The cathedral sits in the town center and nearby is the interesting Museo de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art), where relics and golden items are on display. Guanche artifacts can be seen in the Casa Museo de Betancuria, the town's Archaeological Museum.
The Mirador de Morro Velosa is several kilometers north of town. It offers great views over the area. South of Betancuria is Vega del Río de Palmas, a small settlement on the edge of a dry riverbed. Ground water comes close enough to the surface though to keep numerous palm trees alive. There are several hotels and restaurants in Betancuria.
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