Terrace construction Malpaís de Güímar - Tenerife

Although agriculture in the Malpaís de Güímar is not as prominent as in other parts of Tenerife, local communities throughout history have tried to grow crops and benefit from the land in a sustainable way.

In Tenerife, these terraces, known as "bancales" in Spanish , are often used for growing crops such as potatoes, corn, beans, vegetables and fruit trees.

The terraces are traditionally built using stone walls to support the slopes and prevent erosion. These walls can sometimes be very old and bear witness to centuries of agricultural practices on the island.

Although terrace farming is mainly found in mountainous areas, where the slopes are too steep for conventional agricultural methods, it can also be found near volcanic areas such as the Malpaís de Güímar in Tenerife.

Willem Vandenameele