After the conquest of Tenerife in 1496, only few colonists had settled down in the south and southeast of the island. Here, the land was not as fertile as the land in the northern areas of the island and therefore it was of little interest for agricultural use.
The first indication of settlements in the location of Güimar de Arriba, today known as Barrio de San Juan, and La Raya, the actual barrio de La Hoya, dates back to the year 1500, when the brothers Plumbino, originating from Genua, settled down and formed the first populated urban centre of today´s commune of Güimar.
The successful venture of the Genoveses took even Alonso Fernández de Lugo (Conquistador of the island) by surprise, who now regretted having ceded the land to them, which seemed to be unproductive at first sight.
Due to the Genoveses enterprise, the old Mansion was of socio-economical and strategical importance to the whole south and southeast area of Tenerife from then onwards.
The huge importance of the agricultural use, that the location had in the 16th century, caused a legal dispute between the Italian brothers and the license holder, Don Francisco de Vargas y Vargas Mexía, a nephew of the conqueror of the island Tenerife.
Until the beginning of the 17th century, the property turned into the largest receptor of plants and tropical fruit trees, brought over from various South American countries and the Antilles, to acclimatise on the estate for further shipment to Europe.
Even today, Finca la Raya continues preserving some of the original species from that epoch, such as the avocado trees from the Antilles, the pitanga (surinam cherry) in 3 variations, the canistel (eggfruit) and the pomarrosa (rose apple).
In the middle of the 19th century, when the posterior estate possessed springs of hot and cold water, the old mansion became a health resort.
Along the extensive history, the agricultural importance of the property should be emphasised, because nearly everything was cultivated on its land, like sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, coffee, bananas, all sorts of root tubers, vegetables, fruit trees etc.
The breeding of the cochineal-louse, a bug, that was used to extract colorant, was an additional product at that time which enjoyed a high demand for exportation. The drying stove that was originally used for the production still exists in good condition.
Both, in ancient times and recent history, the old mansion, has always been a special attraction for illustrious personalities who have honoured us by staying at Finca la Raya.