The Santa Cruz City Council has initiated a series of 15 projects across the Anaga area, aimed at reclaiming part of its historical and cultural legacy. Among the efforts to be undertaken is the refurbishment of the vessel Corvette of Saint Andrew, a significant emblem representing the local fishing community and its fishing customs, alongside the establishment of the Atalaya Traffic Light Interpretation Centre at the José Pérez Rodríguez school in Igueste de San Andrés. These initiatives are part of the participatory budgets and are projected to be completed by the year’s end.
The councillor for the Anaga district, Gladis de León, informed DIARIO DE AVISOS that “the region is implementing the majority of the participatory budgets allocated to it, totalling €118,000. Out of this sum, fifteen projects are to be undertaken across the district, costing €27,000, which also includes roofing for the stage in Igueste de San Andrés and enhancements to pedestrian safety along the Taganana road as it passes through San Andrés.”
Moreover, the councillor remarked that “within the City Line of participatory budgets, the opening of the Atalaya Traffic Light Interpretation Centre is on track, with necessary procedures already underway in coordination with the Education Department of the Canary Islands Government. From this point forth, the Autonomous Body of Culture will oversee remaining steps to facilitate its opening this year.”
The aim is to convert one of the vacant classrooms in the José Pérez Rodríguez school into a small museum dedicated to the history of the Semáforo and the Atalaya de Igueste, along with the other historical sites within the Anaga massif, to cater to visitors and hikers.
The historic building that once accommodated semaphore operators and lookout stations distributed across various peaks of the massif is a priceless testament to five centuries of vigilant activity in Anaga, representing an area of scenic and cultural significance that we aspire to highlight. As residents of Igueste express, they were “the eyes of Santa Cruz.”
Simultaneously, the vessel Corvette of Saint Andrew, restored in 2021 by the El Pescador Neighbourhood Association, is another venture planned by the district and will be refurbished following damages incurred from adverse weather. This boat, owned by Manuel Fernández, famously known as Manolo El Chocolate, became a symbol after spending many years transporting fish, which was later distributed among the local families.
Nearly €99,000 for projects in various parts of Anaga
The Anaga district has outlined projects in different locales amounting to €98,898, covering enhancements to asphalt, public lighting, pedestrian walkways, and rural infrastructure. This category comprises twenty initiatives focused on the upkeep and enhancement of paths and trails.
