Tuineje, Las Palmas

Tuineje is one of the six municipalities of the Canary Island of Fuerteventura. In place Tuineje is the municipal administration. By far the largest settlement is Gran Tarajal.

History

Today's feast in Tuineje, also known as Jurada de San Miguel ( revenge of Saint Michael ) is known, is the following: For a sufficiently recent raid by the Englishman a statue of the saint lost an arm, and out of revenge to the Holy Michael the citizens of the place have helped in October 1740 their victory. At the battle of Tamacite a British expeditionary force was advancing by Tuineje at today's Gran Tarajal plundering. Armed with the help of a few camels as human shields, and with a few guns, succeeded in some of its mayor warned farmers to beat half of the numerically superior, well-armed intruders at Montaña de Tamacite and drive to flight. In addition to other weapons also two guns were captured, which now adorn the entrance of the museum island of Betancuria. This event went down in history as the Battle of Tamacite.

Places in the municipality

The population numbers in parentheses are from the year 2011.

• Gran Tarajal ( 7,323 )
• Tarajalejo ( 1296 )
• Tesejerague ( 1208 )
• Tuineje ( 944 )
• Las Playitas ( 832)
• Giniginamar ( 578 )
• Tiscamanita ( 478)
• Juan Gopar (454 )
• Teguital (291)
• Las Casitas (47 )

Attractions

• Surrounded by a fortified wall, two-aisled church of San Miguel Arcángel in Tuineje was completed in 1790.
• In Tiscamanita is the Chapel de San Marcos. It dates from the late 18th century and is characterized by its Franciscan simplicity.
• The lighthouse Faro de La Entallada in Las Playitas was built in 1953 in a unique design on the island.
• The lime of Gran Tarajal is the largest on the island. Quicklime was once an important export item.