The Dogs of Santa Ana

You may have already spotted them, or maybe not, if you were too busy admiring the cathedral,—but right in front of this majestic monument, stands a group of dog sculptures scattered around the square. Some are sitting, others lying down, and they’ve been standing guard here since 1895, like silent protectors of the cathedral behind them. These eight dogs were sculpted by the French artist Alfred Jacquemart in 1824, though how they ended up here in Las Palmas remains a bit of a mystery. One theory says they were a gift from a French ship that stopped in Gran Canaria for repairs on its way to South Africa and left the statues as a thank-you. Another tale claims they were donated by a wealthy British businessman named Thomas Miller. Either way, they've become beloved icons of Santa Ana Square—and even stars of local literature. In his fable Faycan, writer Victor Doreste gave each dog a name: Aterura, Mogano, Doramas, Tindaya, Bentayga, Tenoya, Tirajano, and Faycan. Now you know the story—and the names—behind these unexpected and charming figures keeping watch over the heart of Las Palmas.