Yesterday, the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosted the addition of eleven new individuals to its Walk of Illustrious Visitors. This iconic route, located at the Link Pier, pays homage to globally recognized figures who have made a lasting impression on history by docking at the Tenerife port at various times, thus strengthening its ties with this significant transit location.
The event was attended by the president of Puertos de Tenerife, Pedro Suárez, alongside the president of the Tertulia Amigos del 25 de Julio, Luis García; the Marquis of Ovieco, Antonio Marabini, a descendant of Admiral Blas de Lezo; the official historian of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Ledesma; Rosario González, Councilor for Social Policies of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council; and Naval Commander, José María Fernández, who emphasized the historical significance of the honourees and their influence on the cultural memory of the city.
Pedro Suárez remarked, “This recognition adds significant value to the city by honouring these distinguished individuals in a gallery that now welcomes eleven new visitors.” He also expressed that “this is a profoundly emotional act, not just for the port itself, but for the capital as well.”
Furthermore, the president of Puertos de Tenerife paid special tribute to Blas de Lezo, recognising him as “a historical figure whose acknowledgements have been delayed until now.” He thanked Antonio Marabini, a direct descendant, for attending the event, who then shared a story about his ancestor, noting that “Blas de Lezo won battles without ever firing a shot.” He also reminisced about his ancestor’s time in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, highlighting a stop at the port on 9th January 1717.
Established in 2016
Luis García also provided a historical overview of the new additions, recalling the inauguration of the walkway on 23rd March 2016, when the Port Authority was tasked with bringing it to fruition (initially opened with 80 illustrious figures). He noted several milestones and projects arising from the collaboration with Tertulia, with both institutions recognising the historical significance of this capital.
Among the illustrious individuals added this time are prominent figures such as Juan Pedro Díaz de Solís, the navigator who advised King Ferdinand the Catholic, whose explorations in the 16th century led him to anchor in the Santa Cruz bay searching for a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific; Blas de Lezo, the famed admiral whose valiant defence of Cartagena de Indias turned him into a legend of Spanish naval history; and Jorge Juan Santacilia, who with his remarkable contributions as a sailor and engineer modernized the Spanish navy in the 18th century, and made a stop in Tenerife to measure the arc of the terrestrial meridian in Ecuador.
Also noteworthy is Isabel de Zendal Gómez, the first nurse sent on an international humanitarian mission who arrived in Tenerife to vaccinate hundreds against smallpox; alongside the soldier Bernardo de Gálvez y Gallardo, a vital figure in the struggle for American independence. The Spanish essayist and philosopher José Ortega y Gasset, who visited the Tenerife port multiple times during his journeys to the Americas, and the politician and lawyer Niceto Alcalá, who came in 1930 to participate in a literary event at the Athenaeum of La Laguna, are also included.
Moreover, the arts are represented by Raquel Meller, a celebrated singer and actress of the 20th century who visited the Island in 1935 and performed at the Teatro Leal, and Marlene Dietrich, the iconic German actress who travelled to the Island in 1936 with businessman Edward John Gaze. Key British surrealist Eileen Agar also spent four winters in Tenerife between 1952 and 1955 with her husband. Renowned French naval officer and oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who made two port calls in 1959 and 1970, is part of this esteemed list.
With these new additions, the port of Tenerife continues to solidify its role as a repository of collective memory, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the contributions of these pivotal figures in world history more intimately.
