VALLES DE ORTEGA 

In the past, the people of Valles de Ortega lived exclusively from agriculture. As the climate on Fuerteventura became drier and drier over time, many inhabitants had to give up farming and leave the village. Numerous ruins of old farmhouses, built in traditional style from dark natural stone, remind us of the time when the people of Valles de Ortega made their living from agriculture.

 

Several dilapidated windmills in Valles de Ortega, where the grain harvested in the area used to be ground, indicate how prosperous the place must once have been. Near the FV-20, which leads to the neighbouring Antigua, one of these windmills has been restored. As with all windmills on Fuerteventura, it faces north, as the strong wind usually blows from this direction.

 

Valles de Ortega is separated from the neighbouring municipality of Casillas de Morales only by a narrow strip of former farmland on which stands the Ermita San Roque. The small church dates from 1732 and is dedicated to the Pestilance Saint Rochus. The congregations from Valles de Ortega and Casillas de Morales meet here for the services.

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In the past, the inhabitants of Casillas de Morales lived quite well from agriculture.  Today, most of the inhabitants of Casillas de Morales, like the majority of the population of Fuerteventura, live directly or indirectly from tourism. Traditional agriculture is scarce.  However, in recent years the largest area for aloe vera on Fuerteventura has grown on the eastern outskirts of Casillas de Morales. This succulent plant is cultivated in Fuerteventura in various places to produce creams, shampoos and other cosmetic products from the plant ingredients. The products are available in many supermarkets and shops on Fuerteventura.