SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 14 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Cabildo of Tenerife is set to commence the refurbishment works of the Plaza de la Patrona in the latter half of December, beginning in the San Blas area, as decided this Monday during the inaugural Monitoring Commission for the aforementioned project.
The assembly saw the attendance of the Cabildo president, Rosa Dávila; the advisor to the Presidency, José Miguel Ruano; and the councillor for Citizen Assistance and Quality of Services. The undertaking has a timeframe of 36 months and entails an investment of 16.2 million euros.
Rosa Dávila elucidated that the project will cover an area of approximately 20,000 square metres, which includes interventions on the promenade and the vicinity of the Plaza de la Patrona.
“This is a vital and symbolic project for the island of Tenerife and the municipality of Candelaria, as the Basilica, recognised as an Asset of Cultural Interest, is a crucial destination, as well as a place of worship and pilgrimage for numerous inhabitants who honour the Virgin of Candelaria,” stated Dávila, who noted that this initiative will serve as “a landmark in the revitalisation of public spaces in Tenerife and will enhance the cultural and tourist appeal of Candelaria.”
Additionally, he reminded attendees that the Cabildo has collaborated closely with the City Council and the Insular Water Council to ensure that this work maintains the area’s identity, preserving iconic features such as the pilgrims’ fountain and the Guanches sculptural group, while also modernising the infrastructure to meet future needs.
In her remarks, Candelaria’s mayor, Mari Brito, expressed her appreciation for the swift manner in which the Cabildo has issued the works: “We have waited over 20 years for this long-anticipated undertaking, which is just and necessary, the refurbishment of the Plaza de la Patrona, a symbol not only for Tenerife but for the entirety of the Canary Islands, as it houses the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of all the Canaries.”
The mayor was delighted that the works will be initiated before the year’s end, expressing gratitude to the Council for the progress made on a Plaza that is of insular significance and classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC).
In this regard, the mayor urged citizens and local business owners to be understanding, as daily life will be disrupted during the execution of this project, but the benefits for the municipality’s future will be substantial. Brito also underscored the significance of these Monitoring Commissions in keeping abreast of the works plan and addressing emerging concerns, particularly regarding mobility and parking.
THE PROJECT
The undertaking will unfold in three stages, the first being the promenade, measuring 3,431 square metres; the second pertains to the Plaza de la Patrona, covering 13,640 square metres; and the third will encompass the Plaza de los Artesanos, extending over 2,354 square metres.
The project also aims to enhance the hydraulic pipelines and sanitation within this area. Among other tasks, the construction of a ramp structure is proposed for the Plaza de La Patrona, which will accommodate a sacred museum, a multifunctional room, and a tourist information office as key features. The total built area will amount to 1,073.31 square metres.
The expansive plaza will undergo repaving, alongside the San Blas promenade and Cueva de los Camellos, while Antón Guanche street will be transformed into a pedestrian zone, evolving into a linear open space at its upper end.
The initiative, made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Cabildo, the Candelaria City Council, and the Insular Water Council, will preserve the pilgrims’ fountain at the basilica’s entrance, along with the sculptural group of the Guanches by the sea.
