La Laguna (Los Llanos de Aridane)
# La Laguna (Los Llanos de Aridane)

La Laguna (also known until recently as Tajuya de abajo or La Laguna de Tajuya) is a town and neighbourhood of Los Llanos de Aridane, in La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. It was significantly affected by a lava flow from the 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, which destroyed hundreds of houses in the town.

## History

The town was also known as "Tajuya de abajo" or "La Laguna de Tajuya", with historical references going back to the 17th century.

## Description

The town center is marked by the "Venta de Doña Rosario", a canopy named after a pond that formed nearby when it rained. The neighbourhood does not have many historic buildings; it is known more for the local agriculture, which has changed over the years from sugarcane, to tomato, to banana and avocado, with many small plots owned by locals.

It has a parish church dedicated to San Isidro, construction of which started in June 1966, funded by local donations, and significant contributions from local women.

As of 2020, it had 1645 inhabitants.

## Culture

It has been described as one of the more traditional Los Llanos neighbourhoods. It holds a festival in May called "La Patrona chica", a prelude to Our Lady of Los Remedios festivities in Los Llanos. It had a school since 1875. It was the location of the founding of the Velia Cultural Society in 1932.

## Volcanic eruption

The town was affected by the 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption, with the town's football field, as well as a nearby supermarket and other buildings, consumed by lava on the 14th October 2021. The town had been partially evacuated a few days earlier, which was followed by a complete evacuation of the town. A filling station, followed by the school, and hundreds of houses in the town were destroyed by the lava flow shortly afterwards.

* Location of La Laguna within the lava flow on November 23, 2021
* Extent of lava coverage with highlight of destroyed buildings i.a. in La Laguna on November 23, 2021
