The Buenavista del Norte City Council has announced the commencement of work on the project aimed at restoring the old convent of San Francisco and repurposing it into a multipurpose cultural venue designed to host small-scale outdoor cultural events, all while maintaining its historical and heritage significance.
In March 2023, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Government of the Canary Islands awarded the Consistory a grant of 150,000 euros for the restoration of the ‘Old Cemetery’ or the former Franciscan convent, which had remained abandoned for 78 years.
This structure is part of the Historic-Artistic Complex of Buenavista del Norte. The earliest records regarding the founding of the convent date back to 1647, making it the sixteenth establishment of the Franciscan Order in the Canary Islands. In the 19th century, it fell into neglect and experienced significant deterioration, eventually leading to its partial demolition. From 1868, the area, enclosed by the convent’s old walls and its entrance, was transformed into a municipal cemetery, a purpose it served until 1946 when it again succumbed to neglect.
The initial phase of the project will involve conducting surveys and archaeological explorations of the site and its vicinity. Following the stipulations outlined in the relevant report and under the archaeological oversight and monitoring planned for the project’s execution, subsequent actions will commence: interior cleaning and clearing, removal of debris and rubbish, manual demolition of dilapidated and non-essential structural components, restoration of the ashlar on the main façade, consolidation of the original masonry, repair of coatings, and ultimately, the installation of locksmithing and enclosure for the premises.
“The restoration of this property emphasises a place rich in history and memory, enabling the creation of a distinctive space where history and modernity coexist to enhance the cultural life of the municipality,” remarks the Councilor for Heritage, Víctor Manuel González Hernández.
