Until the beginning of the 20th century, these gardens formed part of the Marquisate of Quinta Roja properties and were attached to the family home. This is a space of Masonic symbolism that is unique on the islands. It’s formed by stepped terraces joined by meandering paths. At the top you can find a mausoleum that was originally designed as a family pantheon, but never came to be used as such.

The garden was designed at the end of the 19th century by Doña Sebastiana del Castillo and Manrique de Lara in case their son, the Marquis Diego Ponte del Castillo, could not be buried in the local cemetery, seeing as the church authorities had denied him burial due to his Masonic status. After years of conflict with the church, their son’s remains were eventually buried in the cemetery’s family vault, leaving this mausoleum empty.

Some writers consider that the gardens were projected as a metaphor of cosmic and human realisation, taking advantage of the naturally hilly terrain. Packed with symbolic elements, the seven terraces reflect the ascent to the heavens, which is depicted by the mausoleum. According to this theory, each terrace has a specific significance and the garden as a whole represents the path of human enlightenment, from birth, the metaphor for which is the lower terrace, until reaching knowledge, the image for which is the mausoleum temple.

Let’s continue towards the end of the Blue Route. Going past the terraces, you’ll cross a small wooden bridge over the ravine. From there, go down the side of Liceo Taoro to Plaza de la Constitución, which is located at the porticoes of the Municipal Tourism Office, the start of this route.