08/03/2026
Exploring the Forgotten Antiaircraft Base Montaña de Las Tababas A Place That Never Saw Battle
Today we explored a quiet and largely forgotten piece of Gran Canaria’s military history: the Antigua Batería Antiaérea Montaña de las Tabaibas, located on a small hillside overlooking the plains of Gando and the modern Gran Canaria Airport.
At first glance, the hill does not look particularly impressive. It rises modestly from the dry eastern landscape of the island, surrounded by scattered houses, dusty roads, and open volcanic terrain. But hidden on top of this small elevation lies a silent reminder of a time when the Canary Islands were preparing for a war that never arrived.
Our exploration began by carefully driving around the surrounding area, making sure to respect private property and the local residents. Once we found a suitable place to park, we started walking toward the hillside. The climb itself is not very difficult, but the environment is fascinating. The ground is dry and rocky, typical for this side of Gran Canaria, and from almost everywhere you can hear aircraft approaching or departing from the nearby airport.
Along the way, we came across an abandoned house standing quietly on the slope. Time has taken most of it, but two rooms are still clearly recognizable. The structure is weathered and partially collapsed, yet it still tells a story of a life that once existed here. Whether it belonged to a local farmer, a caretaker, or someone connected to the military activity nearby is unknown. Today, it stands silent, slowly returning to the landscape.
Continuing the walk to the summit, we eventually reached the remains of the old antiaircraft battery. Concrete gun positions, defensive structures, and hiding points are still visible in the terrain. These were the locations where gunners would have been stationed, watching the skies and protecting the nearby airfield.
During the late 1930s and 1940s, the Canary Islands held great strategic importance. Even though Spain officially remained neutral during World War II, the islands were considered a potential target due to their position along major Atlantic shipping routes. At that time, the airfield at Gando was primarily a military installation. To protect it, several defensive positions were built on the surrounding hills, including this antiaircraft battery on Montaña de las Tabaibas.
From the top of the hill, the reason for its location becomes clear. The view stretches across the plains toward the airport and the Atlantic Ocean. Soldiers stationed here would have had a clear vantage point to detect approaching aircraft long before radar systems became common.
Interestingly, the guns here were never fired in combat. No battle ever reached this place. The battery remained prepared but unused, eventually becoming obsolete as aviation technology and global circumstances changed.
Today, the nearby Gran Canaria Airport, once known as Gando Airfield, has transformed into one of the busiest airports in the Canary Islands, welcoming millions of travelers every year. Right next to it still operates the Gando Air Base, an active Spanish Air and Space Force installation. Civil aviation and military aviation continue to coexist in the same area where these defensive structures were once built.
Standing on Montaña de las Tabaibas today creates a striking contrast. Passenger jets roar overhead while the old concrete gun positions slowly crumble beneath the sun and wind. A place built to defend against aircraft now quietly watches them pass every day.
This exploration is a reminder that Gran Canaria holds many hidden stories beyond its beaches and tourist resorts. Scattered across the island are forgotten structures and silent witnesses to history, waiting for curious explorers to rediscover them.
As always, we explored respectfully, avoided trespassing on private property, and left the location exactly as we found it.
Thank you for joining us on another journey discovering the hidden and forgotten places of Gran Canaria.
🌍 Location: Montaña de las Tabaibas, Gran Canaria
📍 Near Gando / Gran Canaria Airport
🏝 Canary Islands, Spain
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Exploring the Forgotten Antiaircraft Base Montaña de Las Tababas A Place That Never Saw BattleToday we explored a quiet and largely forgotten piece of Gran C...
