Betancuria was once the capital of Fuerteventura, additionally for a time it was the capital of the Canary Islands. Betancuria is also the name of a municipality in the western part of the island. Founded in 1404 by the norman knight Jean de Bethencourt, the town's location was chosen for its secluded inland position offering a better defence against attacks. Betancuria boasts impressive Canarian architecture, a ruin of the first Franciscan convent in the Canaries, cobble streets, museum and craft centre as well as cafes and gift shops.