A religious society reports harm to centuries-old frescoes in a church in Tenerife allegedly ordered by the priest



A religious society has spoken out against the harm inflicted on centuries-old frescoes in the San Antonio de Padua parish, located in the municipality of El Tanque in Tenerife. This site has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. The society attributes this damage to interventions commissioned by the parish priest.

As explained by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Good Voyage on social media, these interventions involved removing a protective layer of paint that had been applied previously. This layer was meant to facilitate easy removal during future restoration works. The frescoes were then repainted with unsuitable materials for such an artwork.

The brotherhood recalls that the parish, originating from the 18th century, underwent a restoration process between 1999 and 2007. During this restoration, some paintings were discovered on the presbytery walls. Only a portion of these paintings was restored while the rest was covered with the aforementioned protective paint.

The parish priest ordered the removal of this protective paint claiming it was necessary due to the excessive humidity on the walls where the frescoes were located. He was unaware of the existence of the frescoes until the workers started the paint removal process.

The priest mentioned that when the workers uncovered the frescoes and sought his advice on whether to paint over them, he instructed them to proceed and apply a “special paint” for protection against humidity, which was recommended by a local hardware store.

He further stated that he consulted with Jennifer Rosales, the Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Works and Services of El Tanque City Council, regarding the works he planned for the church. She only cautioned him not to paint over a section of the frescoes left uncovered outdoors and advised consulting a specialised company.

The councilor clarified on social media that she had warned the priest about the delicate nature of the intervention planned, considering the church’s status as a Site of Cultural Interest. She provided him with contacts for several specialised restoration companies, but her advice was disregarded.

The priest defended his actions, stating that he only gave his opinion and that matters concerning a private property, such as the church, fall under the jurisdiction of the Bishopric.

According to sources from the Tenerife Cabildo consulted by EFE, the Historical Heritage department has initiated an investigation to determine the extent of the damage. On Monday, personnel from the institution visited the church to carry out an evaluation and assess any potential harm caused.

According to the Tenerife Cultural Interest Assets report, the earliest documented reference to a temple honouring San Antonio de Padua in El Tanque dates back to 1540. However, it was destroyed in 1706 by the Trevejo volcano. Consequently, the parish was reconstructed in 1728 and underwent significant renovations in the 20th century, including the construction of a tower on the southern facade.

This parish houses “remarkable works of art such as a 17th-century image of its patron, San Miguel or San Alejo,” as mentioned in the Tenerife Cabildo’s catalogue.