Tenerife boasts great natural beauty, but also architectural beauty. Just looking at the religious realm, we find places that have nothing to envy from those in other parts of the world.
Without needing to go far, we find the multi-awarded Church of Las Chumberas, in La Laguna, a work by the architect Fernando Menis. And, in the same municipality, the Catedral, which has become a scene for international recordings with Hollywood artists – even if only its exterior.
However, beyond these buildings, which could be the envy of many places, there are others that, although in ruins, also catch the attention of tourists and residents.
Hermitage of Güímar
In this case, we focus on the Hermitage of San José in El Escobonal (Güímar). A 18th-century temple that was devastated after a storm. In fact, of the hermitage built between 1745 and 1754, only its walls remain standing today.
This hermitage opened for worship in 1755, after its blessing, becoming the favorite temple for the residents of Agache to attend Sunday mass and the patron’s festival, as explained by the official chronicler of Güímar and Candelaria, Octavio Rodríguez Delgado, on his blog.
Devastated
It was in 1927 when a strong storm collapsed part of its walls, a moment when the neighbors did not have the economic means to rebuild it.
Thus, what was the first hermitage of the area remained in ruins and open to the sky, as it never regained its roof.
Restoration
Its remnants remained like this for several decades until, at the beginning of the 2000s, the Cabildo of Tenerife restored the space, being blessed in 2003.
Hermitage of San José. / Wikiloc
Currently, three walls remain standing. Right in front of what would serve as the altar is a large wooden cross. In its central nave, also with a wooden floor, there are some benches. A discreet place, amidst nature, that conveys a sensation of tranquility to the visitor.
An easy route
To enjoy this Tenerife enclave, of great heritage value despite appearing abandoned, one can take an easy route from El Escobonal, covering part of the Camino Real del Sur towards Fasnia. Thus, in a journey of approximately one and a half kilometers, one will reach this corner.
