Ángel Adán Peñalosa and Beatriz García Puertas, a retired couple of technical architects and former teachers from IES Geneto, have taken on the task of raising awareness about the urgent need to “halt the savage deterioration” of the historic house of Tenerife corsair Amaro Pargo in Machado (El Rosario) and endeavour to salvage what remains of the property, privately owned and declared a Cultural Interest Property (BIC).
Both, residents of El Rosario, highlight in a press release that this estate has been the target of treasure hunters for many years “driven by the false legend that within its walls the famous local character who lived between the 17th and 18th centuries hid a fortune”.
Ángel emphasises that “not only is there no treasure, but the treasure is the house itself, so these individuals who come to destroy a heritage asset should educate themselves with books about this corsair, about whom we already know many things thanks to academics and historians such as Manuel De Paz Sánchez and Daniel García Pulido from the University of La Laguna, and writers like Alfredo López Pérez, who has penned a magnificent novel about this historical figure.”
Beatriz diagnoses that “the house still exhibits a value and richness of old and sturdy building materials, so there is still a chance to salvage what remains; and let’s not forget that it is a BIC, which should not be abandoned, and measures must be taken to prevent further deterioration.” This retired couple believes that the time has come for the owner and the public authorities to reach some agreement “for this house to flourish again, after the ruthless siege by treasure seekers who have been dismantling it stone by stone without mercy.”
To this end, Ángel and Beatriz aim to “act as a binding agent and engage with all parties, both public and private, to facilitate this desired agreement that allows for the restoration of this estate and historic house.”
Amaro Pargo’s house, at the Toriño Estate, is situated in an area of great historical heritage value, “as very close by is the hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Rosario and in front of the estate runs the Old Candelaria Path, also declared BIC”.
Interpretation Centre
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“These technical architecture professionals believe that the public authorities should make an effort to restore the house and turn it into an interpretation centre for the Old Candelaria Path,” as stated in the note, which advocates for showcasing the life of Amaro Pargo, “a merchant and corsair who did so much for the needy society of that era”.
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In support of raising awareness about the importance of this corsair’s house and halting its destruction, a video has been produced by journalist and broadcaster Manuel Herrador, in response to the request made by Ángel and Beatriz. This audiovisual work also involved poet Paulina Medina, a resident of El Rosario, the company Drone_ando13 (which provided the aerial footage), and graphic designer and publicist Nuria Adán.
