Tenerife is home to numerous deserted locations within its landscape, structures that once served a purpose but over time have transformed into ghostly sites, along with others where the projects were never finalised.
The leprosarium in Abades and the mamotreto of Anaza
The Gordejuela elevator, located in Los Realejos, has been recognised as one of the most stunning abandoned sites in the world, a title bestowed by various tourism websites and which has intrigued many visitors to the island.
Currently, the trail is closed, making it difficult to appreciate the view of the building perched right along the coast. While the ruins themselves are inaccessible, a prominent TikToker known for this type of content has successfully paid a visit.
Through a number of videos shared on his account, cliffintenssos has revealed to his followers what it’s like to access the Gordejuela elevator and the breathtaking views that encircle the building. When questioned in some comments regarding the safety of this route, the content creator has amassed nearly 100,000 views across his entire series.
He also mentions that he filmed these videos alongside technicians and highlights the remarkable beauty of the unique setting.
The local community is aware of the risks associated with visiting this site, which is situated in the Protected Landscape area of Rambla de Castro and dates back to 1903. Consequently, few individuals truly understand what the industrial structure looks like from a short distance, as well as the path leading down to the building.
Historic Ruin
The Gordejuela Water Elevator, located near Los Realejos in Tenerife, is an iconic industrial ruin embraced by a distinguished natural environment. This structure forms part of a trail set within the protected landscape of the Rambla de Castro, known as Torcal-Longuera, and overlooks the nearly unspoilt beach of La Fajana. Originally, the building was established in the location of the old Juan de Gordejuela mill and, although it is publicly accessible, it currently lacks specific protective measures.
At its peak, the complex comprised three main buildings, a warehouse, a chimney, and various structures designed to channel the water. Additionally, the southern section of the complex was intended to accommodate the workers, featuring a single-storey rectangular building constructed with load-bearing walls and a gabled roof supported by metal trusses.
Today, the Elevator lies in ruins, bereft of a roof, doors and windows, with portions of its structure, such as arches and floors, having collapsed. Despite a proposal in 2000 to restore the building and its surroundings for public use, this initiative was never realised. On January 31, 2019, it was added to the Red List of heritage at risk due to its severe degradation, which poses the threat of further collapses within the structure.
In spite of its derelict state, the Gordejuela Water Elevator continues to be a significant tourist attraction. A walkway facilitates access for visitors to approach the ruins, although the closest main access staircase was closed in 2019. The building is deemed “one of the most spectacular abandoned structures in Tenerife” and is encircled by rich indigenous flora and fauna, which includes species like palm trees, tabaibas, dragon trees, and lizards.
