The Santuario del Cristo de La Laguna is the most important pilgrimage site in the Canary Islands, housing a revered 16th-century carved wooden figure of Christ that draws hundreds of thousands of devotees each year. The sanctuary is a former Augustinian convent church, founded in the 16th century, with a Baroque interior of considerable richness; the main chapel behind the high altar where the Cristo is venerated is covered in elaborate retablo woodwork and hung with votive offerings accumulated over centuries.
The annual Romería del Santísimo Cristo, held on 13-14 September, is one of the most important religious events in Tenerife. The entire historic centre of La Laguna fills with worshippers; an enormous procession carries the image through the streets, accompanied by music and the packed crowds that attend this event from across the island. The sanctuary is open for visits most days outside of liturgical functions; it is about a ten-minute walk east of the historic centre along the Calle Real.