Return of the Statue of Father Anchieta to Its Rotunda

SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 18th April – EUROPE PRESS –

The Tenerife Cabildo, under the Mobility department, has successfully repositioned the grand statue of Father Anchieta in its designated spot within the extensive pedestrian circle. The relocation of the statue was carried out last Wednesday evening.

To ensure the safety of the artwork and prevent any potential damage, Father Anchieta’s statue was carefully encased within a metal framework, loaded onto a truck, and transferred to the vicinity of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the Great Ring construction site.

For the installation of this monument, a decision was made to utilise a steel plate and cranes of smaller dimensions than originally planned to adhere to the safety protocols issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), given the proximity to the Los Rodeos airport.

As highlighted by the President of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, “this is a moment brimming with emotion as we witness a historic event with the return of Father Anchieta to the surroundings of the roundabout in Brazil. This sculpture stands as the most emblematic symbol of La Laguna and one of the significant landmarks on the island of Tenerife.”

“We are not just talking about a significant sculptural monument, but also a sense of pride shared with the people of La Laguna for the work of this Saint, who was canonised on 3rd April by Pope Francis in 2014, marking ten years since the canonisation of Father Anchieta,” she elaborated.

Dávila also emphasised that the relocation “has been executed with utmost security measures and is now positioned as originally intended by its sculptor, facing towards the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife but gazing towards the heart of La Laguna, his birthplace.”

Furthermore, she appreciated “the mutual agreement between the Cabildo, the City Council of La Laguna, and the Brotherhood of Knights of Father Anchieta regarding the new site for Father Anchieta, graciously provided by the Faculty of Sciences at ULL, Biological section.”

Special gratitude is also extended to the Anchieta community for their contribution. This new positioning shields the nearly 10-ton statue from corrosive elements like traffic pollution in the area. Additionally, the Cabildo intends to undertake restoration work on it soon.

The monumental bronze statue dedicated to the Jesuit from La Laguna and the evangeliser of Brazil, José de Anchieta, stands at a towering height of five meters. Crafted by the Brazilian sculptor Bruno Giordi and funded by the Brazilian people and government, the sculpture was originally unveiled on 27th November 1960 in the Glorieta de Brasil. Following its relocation in 2021 to the Central Campus of the University of La Laguna near La Cruz de Piedra due to the construction works for the installation of the Great Pedestrian Ring of Padre Anchieta, it has now returned to its rightful place.