The chronology of La Gomera connects Indigenous history, conquest, economic change, cultural life and recent transformations.
San Sebastián de La Gomera became linked to Columbus's voyages as the last stop before the Atlantic crossing. Yet island history goes far beyond that episode: it includes seigneurial structures, internal conflicts and a long continuity of peasant practices adapted to demanding terrain. Chronology organizes those processes into milestones that reveal continuities, ruptures and changes of scale.
Among its main reference points are Silbo Gomero, Garajonay, Atlantic stopover, which connect landscape, memory and everyday life. The temporal reading links the island with the general Canary Islands timeline.
Key points
Poblamiento gomero prehispanico
Los antiguos habitantes de La Gomera (Gomeraos o Gomeros) llegaron posiblemente desde el norte de Africa; su cultura ha sido menos estudiada que la de otras islas pero tiene rasgos propios.
Conquista señorial (s. XV)
La isla fue conquistada a traves de un proceso de señorio y acuerdos con los indigenas; la resistencia tuvo varios episodios de violencia, especialmente la sublevacion de 1488.
Escalas colombinas (1492-1498)
San Sebastian de La Gomera fue la ultima parada de Colon antes de sus cuatro viajes a America; el vinculo con el descubrimiento atlantico marco la memoria historica de la isla.
Siglos XIX-XX: emigración y transformacion
La emigracion masiva a Venezuela y Cuba en los siglos XIX y XX redujo drasticamente la poblacion gomera; el retorno de emigrantes y el turismo desde los años 70 revirtieron la tendencia.
Municipalities of La Gomera
See all →- AguloAgulo is a municipality of La Gomera, presented through settlement, landscape, local memory and its links with the rest of the island.
- AlajeróAlajeró is a municipality of La Gomera, presented through settlement, landscape, local memory and its links with the rest of the island.
- HermiguaHermigua is a municipality of La Gomera, presented through settlement, landscape, local memory and its links with the rest of the island.
- San Sebastián de La GomeraSan Sebastián de La Gomera is a municipality of La Gomera, presented through settlement, landscape, local memory and its links with the rest of the island.
- Valle Gran ReyValle Gran Rey is a municipality of La Gomera, presented through settlement, landscape, local memory and its links with the rest of the island.
- VallehermosoVallehermoso is a municipality of La Gomera, presented through settlement, landscape, local memory and its links with the rest of the island.