Strolling down the quaint lane that begins in Obispo Rey Redondo (La Carrera) and leads to Los Herradores, named in honour of the Lanzarote poet Antonio Zerolo. Previously known as La Cilla (a house or chamber where grains were collected), this street housed a granary where taxes were gathered for the Bishopric of the Canary Islands, a time predating the establishment of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna (formed in 1819).
The main thoroughfares of the City, such as La Carrera, Mesones and Espíritu Santo (former names of La Carrera, Los Herradores and San Agustín), were so extensive that alleys were constructed to shorten the distance between them. Right across the end of this street lies the historic Callejón de Maquila.
CONVENT OF THE SERVANTS OF MARY
Located at the junction of La Carrera and Zerolo is the convent of the Siervas de María, a religious order dedicated primarily to tending to the sick. They arrived in La Laguna on September 1, 1889, through the efforts of the Ladies Charity Board who supported the Dolores Hospital with their charitable works and donations. In addition to caring for the ill, this order managed the financial aspects and the hygiene of the hospitalised individuals. After discontinuing their hospital work, they continued assisting the sick and needy, especially through home care. Unfortunately, in the spring of 2024, this religious order declared the closure of the convent and the termination of their services on our Island, citing a lack of vocations.
In front of this convent’s sidewalk, a German family established a confectionery shop with a workshop called “The princess” in the last century. Its original proprietor, Otto Rapp Singer, inaugurated the establishment in 1927, having relocated to the Island upon hearing of pastry chef opportunities in Tenerife in 1925. The confectionery shop “The princess” offered unique lagoon delicacies like the “Tower of La Concepción” made of chocolate. They also crafted sweets and cakes typical of their European homeland. Several years ago, the third generation of German confectioners passed on the business.
At the conclusion of the street on the corner of Los Herradores, the tallest building in La Laguna’s historic centre was erected. This four-storey house with an attic made a significant impact on the City, as most residences at the time were either one or two storeys. The trade of “Don Fabio” specialised in selling legumes like beans, lentils, chickpeas and other similar products in bulk. This shop was among the few in La Laguna offering carbide, primarily used for illuminating the streets and the nougat stalls during festivals.
On this street, there was also “Román’s barbershop”, a family-run business known for its expertise until their relocation to the gallery known as the Aguere tunnel. The first Michelin-starred restaurant opened its doors in a premises along this street.
WHO WAS ANTONIO ZEROLO HERRERA?
Antonio Zerolo Herrera, born in Arrecife de Lanzarote in 1854, received his secondary education at the Instituto de Canarias in La Laguna. He graduated in Philosophy and Letters from the Central University in Madrid. Zerolo served as a Language and Literature professor at the Jovellanos Institute in Gijón before securing a teaching position in La Laguna and becoming the director of the Lagunero Institute. He contributed poetry, articles, speeches and prose to various publications in Spain and Latin America. As a poet, he was part of the Canarian Regionalist School, known for his respect for verse structure and melodious language. Zerolo was a recipient of several literary awards in the island’s literary competitions.
The Lanzarote professor and poet Antonio Zerolo, in one of his verses, exhibits his affection for the City and his admiration for the Lagunero Christ, as shown in the following lines: “Whoever wants to know/if there is fervour in the Canary Islands/let him go every year/to the Entrance of the Lord,” referring to the impressive pyrotechnic display that takes place during the Christ’s procession.
He married Mrs. Eladia Álvarez Escobar, with whom he had five children. The third child, named after his father, pursued studies in Medicine and Surgery in Cádiz and graduated in June 1916. Upon returning to Tenerife, he commenced his medical practice in Tacoronte before moving on to Güímar. Upon hearing of the dire situation in his hometown during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, he voluntarily transferred back. According to journalist and Official Chronicler of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Don Eliseo Izquierdo: “The press on the 19th reported that Zerolo was slightly ill, passing away on the 28th at the family residence on Juan de Vera Street.”
La Laguna commemorated Dr. Olivera, who succumbed to similar circumstances as Dr. Antonio Zerolo, yet the latter has not been officially recognised for his sacrifice with the naming of Plaza La Antigua “in the line of duty.”
The poet Zerolo penned his sonnet as a testament, “I want to die in peace with my conscience,” expressing his wish to rest eternally in the City of Aguere. The closing lines read: “And let my dreams be lulled in La Laguna/the pine trees that crown the mountain/and the Atlantean sea that rocked my cradle.”
La Laguna pays tribute to the regionalist poet with a bust in Plaza de la Concepción, a creation by sculptor Francisco Borges Salas, unveiled on December 8, 1926.
