The Fountains and Historic Chorros of Puerto de la Cruz

What are the historic chorros?

In Puerto de la Cruz, a chorro is a public water spout. Before water reached every home as it does now, these points helped supply neighbourhoods and became part of daily life. The surviving structures are modest compared with an ornamental fountain, but they tell a more personal story: people came here because they needed water.

Water shaped the growth of this coastal town. A heritage route developed by the local water company and the Fundación Telesforo Bravo – Juan Coello follows that story from the spring and ravine at Martiánez through the old centre and towards San Felipe. On an ordinary stroll, you can notice some of its water landmarks without committing to the whole route.

Chorro Cuaco and the Fuente de Martiánez

Chorro Cuaco, near Calle Valois and the small Cruz de Cuaco, is one of the clearest reminders of the old public water supply. The Canary Islands’ heritage records date the Chorro Cuaco or Fuente de Martiánez to 1840 and identify it as a source for people living in this part of town. The setting around the cross, spout and lane has also been recognised for its historic value.

The story begins further east, at the Fuente de Martiánez on the ladera above the coast. Its water mattered to generations of portuenses. Chorro Cuaco is a good place to think about the change from fetching water to distributing it through channels and pipes. It makes a natural stop when you are exploring the streets between Martiánez and the older town centre.

The harbour, Mequinez and Las Maretas

The Chorro del Muelle is beside the fishing harbour, close to the small Virgen del Carmen chapel. It brings the water story right into one of Puerto de la Cruz’s busiest historic places. Municipal heritage walks also include the spout in Calle de Las Maretas; the Mequinez chorro is another recognised stop in the streets of La Ranilla.

These are places to find as you wander, rather than grand monuments to see from a distance. Start at the harbour, then take time in La Ranilla’s streets if you would like to look for more of the old chorros. The municipality also names Cupido, Blanco, El Durazno and Punta Brava among the neighbourhood spouts remembered in the annual San Juan tradition.

The swan fountain and the ñamera

For a different kind of fountain, pause in Plaza de la Iglesia, in front of Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia. Its stone swan fountain dates from 1900 and is one of the details that gives the church square its character. The plaza was once known as Plaza de la Pila, recalling an earlier water feature.

A short walk away, the fountain in Plaza del Charco is easy to recognise by the lush ñamera growing at its centre. It has long been part of the square’s familiar scene of trees, benches and people meeting. These plaza fountains invite you to stop and enjoy the town; the smaller chorros lead you back to the practical question of how people obtained water. Read more about Plaza del Charco as you plan the walk.

Why are the chorros decorated at San Juan?

Each June, the enrame de los chorros brings the water spouts into focus again. Neighbours and local groups decorate them with flowers, fruit and greenery during the San Juan celebrations. It is a living tradition as well as a reminder that water once brought people to these corners of town every day.

You do not have to visit during a festival to appreciate them. At other times, their stonework and positions in the streets still help tell the story; the decorations and participating locations can vary from year to year.

See the fountains in our video

Take a few minutes to watch our original video of the fountains of Puerto de la Cruz. Then use the places above as a starting point for your own stroll through the town. The history of the chorros adds another layer to sights you might otherwise walk straight past.

How to explore the fountains on foot

For an easy central introduction, begin at Plaza de la Iglesia, continue to Plaza del Charco, and go down towards the Muelle Pesquero. From the harbour, the lanes of La Ranilla lead you towards the Mequinez and Las Maretas chorros. Save Chorro Cuaco for a longer walk through the Martiánez side of town, or make it a separate stop.

These places are outdoors and free to see. The route is flexible: enjoy a café, the harbour or a detour through the old streets along the way. Treat the old spouts as heritage features rather than drinking-water points. For more routes to combine with this one, see Walking in Puerto de la Cruz.