A picturesque ecological retreat in south Tenerife which has provided solace for thousands of people is now making itself more accessible to the general public.
But Hacienda Cristoforo, on the outskirts of Playa Paraiso, will never lose its charm or tranquillity as it prepares to enter a new era.
The lovely retreat was founded 36 years ago by Greek architect, Denis Devaris who discovered the island when he came to design one of its very first hotels. On his travels, he spotted a plot of barren land, known as malpais, and decided to buy it, even though many people said nothing would ever grow there.
But it did and today, the site houses the most beautiful plants, flowers, shrubs and trees from all parts of the globe, together with tiny individual casas hand-built by Denis using mainly salvaged materials. It really is a “garden of paradise”, attracting unusual species of butterflies and birds.
The big central tree tells a story too. When salvaged by Denis from road works in Arona, it was nothing more than a trunk. He transplanted it at Cristoforo, covered it with a cloth and watered it every day for six months.
Friends said he was mad and that it would never grow so it was a very proud day when the first green shoots appeared. Now, it is huge and it has coloured ribbons hanging from its branches as part of a previous course on healing sound and dance therapy.
There is also a central meeting room, dining area, covered terraces, courtyard, paved pathways, a natural volcanic rock salt water pool, a biological vegetable garden and even a small-holding with animals and birds.
As a young man, Denis developed a keen interest in the beliefs and teachings of Austrian born Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) who pioneered the spiritual science of anthroposophy. Human beings, he said, were composed of body, spirit and soul and he believed in the growth of the imagination and the power of being at one with the land, the cosmos and ecology. Cristoforo follows this philosophy.
People come here from all over the world to enjoy meditation, complementary therapies or simply to relax and get away from it all. Many reap the rewards physically as well as mentally because of the Tenerife climate.
A year ago, Denis was in the process of applying for a new status known as a “utilidad publica e interes social” which, if granted, would allow him to apply for grant aid and other financial assistance.
Now, the bid is coming to fruition and it looks very likely to succeed. It would give a tremendous boost to Cristoforo which Denis has developed on a shoe-string and out of his own pocket, often by using his professional status to design houses for friends or selling off part of the land.
It’s been a labour of love but no easy task, especially as Denis is in his late 70s and has had to rely on help from family, friends and volunteers who share his vision. He does, however, defy his age as he is on the go from dawn to dusk and still helps to build additions to the complex, such as a new hall/dormitory, with his own hands. It will mean the retreat can offer accommodation for up to 60 people, half of them in the individual casas which are incredibly beautiful and ecologically designed incorporating antique hnd-made elements to blend into the landscape harmoniously.
Part of the submission for utilidad publica status has been to prepare a new programme which opens up Cristoforo to more people through various events and activities which should be in full swing soon.
The centre has always hosted seminars for groups and organisations, as well as offering retreat holidays for those who want to get away from the crowds and commercialism, but it has never really had a business plan until now.
It means there will be even more activities at Cristoforo for the general public to enjoy, whether local residents, swallows or holidaymakers.
A regular feature which proves very popular is Thai Chi every Saturday from 11am. There is also yoga for beginners and the more advanced on a Monday and Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 9pm and belly dancing every Thursday from 7pm.
The new era will also include a full programme for schools where the children can come along and enjoy all the facilities from clay modelling with Denis to planting in the biological garden and looking after the animals on the farm.
There will continue to be a special entertainment event from 3.30pm on the first Sunday of every month which spotlights on creativity as an element of health to which everyone is welcome. Story-telling sessions are also on the agenda.
Cristoforo now also has its own activities’ co-ordinator who speaks Spanish, English, German, French and Italian so all nationalities are very welcome.
There are also painting classes once a week and you can learn to draw or paint during a three hour class every Friday afternoon.
In addition to this, the retreat will continue to offer complementary therapies and host seminars and talks from subjects as diverse as rebirthing to Zen meditation. Some are open to the public so it is worth studying Cristoforo’s website at www.haciendacristoforo.com or ringing 922 74 19 67 or 676 440 784 and you can also request to be put on their mailing list.
Meantime, if you have any free hours to spare, the centre would welcome volunteers with open arms, whether to help with ongoing maintenance or gardening. You’ll realise when you visit what a beautiful place this is. You can find it on the road to Playa Paraiso just a few hundred yards from the main road roundabout on the right hand side. Watch out for the clocktower and you can park outside or catch a Titsa bus which stops opposite.
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