EL GAROÉ, THE HOLY OR SACRED TREE

Here was the Garoé (botanical name Ocotea foetens), "the Holy Tree", which was sacred to the Bimbaches, the only specimen on the island. Its leaves distilled water collected through a phenomenon called horizontal rain. This tree of water, which was the subject of native legends, was destroyed by a hurricane in 1610. The locals call it "the secret tree": this secret is a local legend that explains how a local woman fell in love with a conquistador and revealed to him the secret of the Holy Tree... Today, a replica of the original tree stands. A lime tree was planted in the same place in 1949. At 500 m from the tree, an interpretation center of the Garoé allows you to know a little more about this sacred tree and will explain you in particular how the aborigines had succeeded in getting water thanks to their knowledge of the natural phenomenon of horizontal rain. And will give you to see the archaeological and cultural richness of this so mystical place. The path starts from the center to the famous tree house, carved in the rock. On the way, you will observe multiple small wells of natural clear water or more "mossy" in the rocks where the Bimbaches came to get water in the middle of the summer, when the drought was severe in the valley. From here there are also several hiking trails, including the Camino del Aqua, which leads to freshwater pools. Beware of a few rocky inclines, so be sure to wear shoes.