The Island Government Council approved the signing of a collaboration agreement with the Bishopric of Tenerife and the City Council of Güímar for the financing and execution of the restoration and conservation of the hermitage of El Socorro. For the president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín, “it is great news for the Island, as it allows one of its most emblematic heritage assets to be recovered and valued, and especially for the residents of Güímar, as it is a meeting point and devotion of the people, linked to their culture, history and traditions».
Martín highlighted the joint work between the Cabildo, the City Council and the Bishopric to finance the execution of this improvement project. Of the 563,813 euros that the work will cost, the Island Corporation will contribute 53%, 300,000 euros; the City Council of Güímar, 151,050 euros, 27%, and the Bishopric, 112,762 euros, the remaining 20%. The expenses of the project and the technical direction are added to the Bishopric’s item.
The president of the Cabildo highlighted “the patrimonial and cultural value of the hermitage, which integrates the historical heritage of Tenerife, classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest with the category of monument, as well as its surroundings, the Camino del Socorro, with the category of historical site” . Pedro Martín committed the collaboration of the Cabildo “in all the necessary actions” to execute the work, as well as with the technical advice that is necessary for the processing of the action.
The mayor of Güímar, Gustavo Pérez, valued this agreement because for Güímar given the relevance of the Socorro hermitage in the municipal heritage. “Everything that involves the Bajada del Socorro has to be taken care of, because it is our popular reference,” he said. The agreement “guarantees us the maintenance of an important asset for the entire Island and Canary Islands. Here historical moments have been lived and of a lot of feeling for many Guimareros.
The insular director of Planning of the Territory and Historical Heritage, Emilio Fariña, explained that the agreement “guarantees the momentum of this action to ensure the conservation of the hermitage and stop the deterioration problems that the roof presents, especially affected by the rains and the pass of the time”. The Bishopric will call the public tender for the project, taking into account that the conservation and maintenance of the hermitage corresponds to him as the owner of the property.
