A waterless fountain inaugurated in March 1966 commemorating the triumph of Francisco Franco and his forces during the Civil War features a central piece depicting an exterminating angel with purple embellishment across its chest. This monument could potentially be designated as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) under the monument category.
The Tenerife Council has commenced procedures to classify the monument as an Asset of Cultural Interest in response to a judicial ruling, which suggests that the sculpture created by Juan de Ávalos in celebration of Franco’s victory may warrant BIC protection.
This sculptural ensemble is situated in a pond measuring approximately 30 meters in diameter, positioned at the intersection of Francisco La Roche (commonly known as Avenida de Anaga) and Rambla de Santa Cruz. It features a 10-meter statue of an angel unfurling its wings, while above it, the likeness of Francisco Franco holds a sword.
The purple paint adorning the exterminating angel serves as a remnant of numerous protests by individuals opposing the preservation of this monument, arguing that it contravenes democratic memory legislation or lacks both architectural and sculptural significance.
Conversely, some argue that this sculptural assemblage holds cultural importance, interpreting the angel as a representation of the Dragon Rapide aircraft used by Franco to depart from Tenerife to Ceuta, gathering his supporters to initiate the Civil War.
The previous Canary Islands government (comprising PSOE, Podemos, Nueva Canarias, and ASG) had classified this work as part of Francoist remnants; however, this decision was overturned by the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands due to procedural issues. The current administration (CC, PP), which receives backing from ASG and AHI, revoked the prior agreement.
Subsequently, both the Royal Canarian Academy of Fine Arts San Miguel Arcángel and the Association for the Research and Protection of the San Miguel Arcángel Heritage requested the processing of a file for Asset of Cultural Interest, which the former Tenerife Cabildo government (PSOE, Ciudadanos) rejected, backed by Podemos.
In response to the Cabildo’s refusal, the association lodged an appeal with the contentious court number 3 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which did not endorse the request. Yet, the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands intervened, suspending the resolution made by the Tenerife island corporation, which subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court upheld the decisions made by the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands. As a result, the contentious administrative court number 3 of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has instructed the current government of the Cabildo of Tenerife (CC, PP) to initiate the Cultural Interest Welfare file.
To process this file, an opinion will be sought from the University of La Laguna, which had previously classified the sculptural group as a Francoist remnant. Additionally, the assessments of the National Museum of Sculpture (Valladolid) and the Royal Academy of Extremadura will be requested, given that Juan de Ávalos hailed from Mérida.
