Cave of Santo Hermano Pedro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cave-Shrine of Santo Hermano Pedro |
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Cave of Santo Hermano Pedro, Tenerife
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| District | Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna |
| Province | Archdiocese of Seville |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Shrine |
| Location | |
| Location | El Médano, Spain |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | church |
The Cave-Shrine of Santo Hermano Pedro is a special Roman Catholic cave that serves as a shrine. It is dedicated to Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, who was the first saint from the Canary Islands. This important cave is located in the area of Granadilla de Abona, close to El Medano. You can find it on the southern part of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is also very near the end of the Tenerife South Airport runway.
Exploring the Cave
This cave is considered one of the most important places for pilgrimage in the Canary Islands. A pilgrimage is a journey made by someone for religious reasons. Every year, more than 300,000 visitors come to this cave.
Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur used this cave as a resting spot. He would stop here with his sheep to rest and regain strength. This was important for his journey to his small village in the highlands of Vilaflor.
The cave was also a place where Peter could pray quietly. Sometimes, he even used it as a hiding place. This was to protect himself from pirate attacks, which were common along the coasts of the Canary Islands back then.
Today, inside the cave, you can see a wooden statue of the saint. There is also a section of the cave completely covered with special gifts from people who believe in the saint. These gifts are called votive offerings. The cave also holds a small piece of the saint's body, called a relic, specifically a part of a rib.
Protecting the Site
Since 1999, the government of the Canary Islands has recognized this cave as a Site of Cultural Interest. This means it is a special place that needs to be protected because of its history and importance.
The Path of Hermano Pedro
The famous "Hermano Pedro's Way" ends at this cave. This is a historic path that Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur used to travel. He would move with his sheep through the Chasna region. The route begins in Vilaflor and leads all the way to the Santo cave.
Today, during the saint's festival in April, many pilgrims walk this route. It is a journey that holds great religious and historical meaning for them.
See also
In Spanish: Cueva del Santo Hermano Pedro para niños
