If you like the charming corners and enjoy the sea in its pure state, you can not miss the natural pools of the davit of Hermigua.
A magical landscape, in which four hypnotizing columns emerge from the flowing waters of the northern coast, giving this enclave an air, mysterious, as arising from Greek mythology.
This emblematic place is especially frequented in summer, showing its best face during the first half of September, when the tides and the sun make the water take on a beautiful turquoise color.
These enigmatic pillars are part of the history of La Gomera, important vestiges of the economic history of the island. A palpable example of the tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit of the gomeros, capable of prospering whatever the circumstances they have to face.
But what is a davit and what was its function?
The davits are structures with supports that go into the sea, ending with a cantilever that allows the loading and unloading on the boats or faluas that later transhipped to the ships that could not approach the coast.
At the end of the 19th century, increasing fruit production and the incorporation of La Gomera into export agriculture (mainly bananas and tomatoes) made it necessary to have places where products were shipped in a quicker and faster way to European markets.
At that time, Hermigua and the rest of agricultural areas of the north of La Gomera, were very badly communicated with each other and with the outside. Goods were transported by land through narrow roads by people and pack animals and anchorages, were the only means that existed to remove the export crops from the island. The steep coasts of the island and the brave sea prevented the output of all the production and it should also be borne in mind that the port of San Sebastián, as such, was not fully completed until the middle of the 20th century.
This problem pushed the local bourgeoisie to seek a more effective formula for exporting their products, so that, since the beginning of the twentieth century, have undertaken autonomously the construction of more sophisticated docking systems. They invested and risked their capital in the construction of davits in Hermigua, Agulo and Vallehermoso, associated to the agriculture of export.
The construction of the davits reactivated the island economy by removing La Gomera from its isolation and promoting the agricultural and industrial development of La Gomera.
In Hermigua, of the two davits that were in this locality, the one that is seen at the present time never finished to finish and the other one that had been built to 30 meters of distance, was operative for decades.
Why did not get to finish the second davit of Hermigua?
The end of the First World War, revived the world economy in the 1920s. This new scenario, encouraged the exporters of Hermigua to embark on an ambitious project, build another davit. The work, five times bigger than the previous one, would be composed of six prisms and would allow to operate to a greater distance of the coast with a arm of 150 meters. After building four pillars, the closing of the markets receivers after the crack of the stock market of 1929, paralyzed the work that would not return to resume due to Civil War and to World War II.
The construction of the northern road, notably improving communications and the completion of the port of San Sebastian, also contributed significantly to the decline and disappearance of the davits on the island.
The fisherman of Hermigua, which has become the image of numerous tourist postcards of La Gomera, is about 50 minutes drive from Hotel Jardin Tecina. A nice excursion along the winding roads of the island, traversing from south to north unique landscapes. Get ready and do not forget the swimsuit!