Ruins of Convento de San Buenaventura | Echoes of Betancuria History

Located in the northern part of the former capital Betancuria, the Convento de San Buenaventura Fuerteventura is accessible either via a road and caravan parking lot or, if arriving from Betancuria’s center along the main highway FV 30 and the street C. Pdte. Hormiga, by descending a steep hill to reach the ruins.

The Franciscan Order built the monastery in 1416, and Pope Benedict XIII personally authorized the foundations of this place.

Its inhabitants were Franciscans who besides praying engaged in ordinary jobs like visiting sick people or teaching. San Diego and Fray Juan de Santorcaz are the most notable people connected to the monastery.

The Hermitage

San Diego de Alcalá is also the patron of hermitage which is part of the monastery complex.

The Hermitage of San Diego de Alcalá in Betancuria, Fuerteventura, stands as a tribute to his legacy. While the exact date of his arrival in the Canary Islands is debated, records suggest it was around 1441. San Diego de Alcalá and Fray Juan de Santorcaz, both minor friars, were sent to the Franciscan convent of Betancuria to assist in the evangelization of the Canary Islands. Fray Juan brought Diego to the convent, recognizing his potential for this mission (for more information about San Diego in Spanish go here).

Slow decay

The monastery underwent many additional renovations. For example, it was made higher, and the church became bigger. 

The 15th-century convent was largely destroyed during the 1593 attack by Xaban arráráez, leaving only remnants of its foundations. In the 17th century, builders rebuilt and expanded the church, and its walls still stand today. However, economic hardships led to a decline in the number of friars, jeopardizing the convent’s survival. Despite attempts by sellers to dispose of the property in the 19th century, it remained abandoned, silently bearing witness to its historical significance.

The atmosphere

The ruins of Convento de San Buenaventura Fuerteventura stand amidst the rugged embrace of nature’s reclaiming tendrils. They serve as a testament to both the passage of time and the enduring allure of forgotten beauty. Here, amidst crumbling walls and weathered stone, open spaces beckon with quiet serenity, inviting exploration and introspection.

Against the backdrop of an open roof, where azure skies play host to wandering clouds, the remaining altars stand as silent sentinels, bearing witness to bygone prayers and whispered hopes. In this urbex oasis, where history intertwines with the present, every crumbling archway and moss-covered stone whispers tales of romance and adventure, offering solace to the soul and inspiration to the imagination.