An iconic photo of the old neighbourhood and its patron being carried by the locals (c. 1955). Photo: CJT.
It has long since become an inseparable part of our memories, alongside the holy lawyer protector of Tenerife’s fields and its regional pilgrimage. Today it occupies number 98 on Avenida Lucas Vega, but before it stood, solitary and defiant, among cultivated land.
In terms of its morphology and construction materials, López Trujillo (2019) establishes the building of the property in the 18th century to serve as an agricultural warehouse; however, the estate on which it was located dates back much further.
Between 1511 and 1513, the island’s governors initiated a land distribution plan for vineyards and wheat in the areas of San Lázaro and Geneto. Practically all the grants were made in two batches: in the second half of 1611 and in 1613. As a result, “some houses for small proprietors, but also for individuals of certain socioeconomic standing, will be built in the San Benito area and even in San Lázaro itself.” Thus, the foundation of our estate is situated in the second decade of the 17th century. The entire outer area surrounding the city was occupied by large farming properties, interspersed with small functional buildings linked to the agricultural activity taking place in the region.
The estate cultivated wheat, but also vines. Most likely, the latter were used for the production of spirit, which reached great popularity in Tenerife precisely during the 17th century, as it was considered of higher quality and value than that brought from other islands. Known as “aguardiente de orujo” or “aguardiente de hollejo,” it was appreciated for its flavour and aroma, providing a popular alternative to rum, hence the flourishing of artisanal aguardiente distilleries between the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
“Plan of the City of La Laguna de Tenerife.” Anonymous, 1814. Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country.
Indeed, the buildings adjacent to the estates usually had their own distillery.
It is possible that it had not only a warehouse for wheat but also boilers to distil aguardiente – generally two – if this was the purpose of the estate, as it initially had two completely open floors.
