In few places of the world is possible to see primitive remainders that give us information about the origin of a place. Ajuy has the privilege to be one of those places that has given us an idea about the origin of the Canary Islands. This places has an amazing geological, paleontological and ethnography value. In this place we can observe the oceanic crust, how it was formed about 70 million years ago. That is, a travel to the past, before the island of Fuerteventura was formed, the island where Ajuy is situated.
Where is Ajuy?
It is situated between two ravines; the Ajuy ravine and the Aulagar ravine. In the Ajuy ravine there is another known and spectacular place, the Palmeral Madre del Agua, where there is a natural spring from where water flow and a place of floral and ornithological interest.
In the village, that has barely 150 residents, there is a Natural Monument, the Ajuy Caves. Around the caves there is a fossilized beach with about four million years. Basaltic material emerged from the sea during the formation of the island makes this place unique and mystic. In the basal complex that we find there is possible to see marine gastropods fossils, rock formations and igneous and volcanic oceanic sediments. All of that tell us the origin and the formation of Fuerteventura, because we are talking about the oldest rocks of the Canary Islands.
Although Fuerteventura is known due to its beaches and dunes, geologically it has a worldwide recognition among those experts in the field. And Ajuy highlights in this area. Its cliffs with more than 100 million years are history that we can feel and touch. A beauty place that the different periods of history have formed and with the result of this extraordinary geological beauty. Even have been found fossilized winkles of about 5 million year ago. Incredible!
The beach, that is near to the path that take us to the caves, is named Los Muertos beach (beach of the dead). The name is due to the massacres that took place here by the pirates. With any doubt, this is a small village with lot of history.
Walk along its streets, have a deep on its beach of black sand or have something in one of the restaurants, all of them with a strong scent of the sea. Typical food and mainly from the sea will delight your palate. Walk along its cliff, amaze yourself with the shapes that time has formed and enter into the Ajuy caves, you will feel like an authentic explorer.
Near to the caves, in our way along the cliffs we could see the remains of the old mooring bay. From here was exported lime and it was one of the most important ports of the island. In fact, Ajuy was known as Puerto de la Peña (the Peña port). Here the ships unload the goods that then were transported to Betancuria, the capital in that time.
So take note and in your next visit to Fuerteventura do not hesitate to visit this small but curious place. Ajuy will surprise you.
Photos:
- laprovincia.es
- piedecaracol.com
- alovelyworld.com
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