Every day, thousands of people pass through Plaza del Adelantado, in the heart of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It’s one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks and a popular setting for cultural events, festivals and everyday life.
But while the square is familiar to almost everyone, few know where its name comes from or what the title “Adelantado” actually meant.
What Was an ‘Adelantado’?
Far from being a surname or simple nickname, Adelantado was an important title within the Crown of Castile.
The Catholic Monarchs awarded it to trusted individuals who were responsible for governing newly incorporated territories on behalf of the Crown. Those who held the title exercised wide-ranging military, political, administrative and judicial powers, acting as the monarchs’ representatives in their territories.
Alonso Fernández de Lugo
In Tenerife, the title was granted to Alonso Fernández de Lugo following the conquest of La Palma in 1493 and Tenerife in 1496.
As Adelantado of Tenerife and La Palma, he became the highest representative of the Castilian Crown on both islands.
His responsibilities included organising the new administration, overseeing justice, distributing land and directing the defence of the territory. In practice, he exercised many of the powers of the Crown, although always on behalf of the monarchs.
A Title Limited to Two Islands
Despite the importance of the position, Alonso Fernández de Lugo’s authority did not extend across the entire Canary Islands.
His jurisdiction was limited to Tenerife and La Palma, a detail that is often misunderstood, as many assume he governed the whole archipelago.
Why the Square Bears His Title
The connection between the title and La Laguna explains the square’s name.
Alonso Fernández de Lugo’s residence once stood beside what is now Plaza del Adelantado, making the area closely associated with the island’s first Adelantado. Over time, local people came to identify the square with the title he held rather than his name, and it eventually became known as Plaza del Adelantado—the name it still bears today.
Today, the square remains one of La Laguna’s most important public spaces, preserving the memory of a title that played a significant role in the early history of Tenerife.