title: La Laguna (Los Llanos de Aridane)
text: # 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  The town was also known as "Tajuya de abajo" or "La Laguna de Tajuya", with historical references going back to the 17th century.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
  