The works involved an investment of over 400,000 euros
The Cabildo of Tenerife has successfully completed the partial restoration of the roofs of the Convent of Santa Clara, a historic building that is part of the city’s heritage, ensuring its conservation and structural safety. The intervention was carried out according to the technical report by architect Alejandro Beautell García. The restoration was presented on Friday afternoon, attended by the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, Rosa Dávila; the Island Director of Heritage, Isabel de Esteban; the Second Deputy Mayor of La Laguna, Fran Hernández; the Abbess of the Community of Clarisas Nuns, Sister María del Pilar Climent Lorenzo; and the Bishop of the Nivariense Diocese, Eloy Santiago.
Rosa Dávila, the President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, stated that the restoration of the Convent of Santa Clara involved an investment of over 400,000 euros, adding, “This demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding Tenerife’s historical heritage. Protecting these spaces means preserving our collective memory and reinforcing the cultural legacy that distinguishes us as an island.”
For her part, Isabel de Esteban, the Island Director of Historical Heritage, noted that the aforementioned intervention “not only ensures the structural safety of the building but also guarantees its transmission to future generations as a spiritual, historical, and architectural reference.”
The Bishop of Tenerife publicly expressed gratitude for the Cabildo’s commitment to this line of collaboration. “I wish to convey my appreciation to the Cabildo of Tenerife for the sustained cooperation that has allowed progress in the conservation and restoration of our shared heritage. The good relations we maintain with the island institution exemplify cooperation in service of society and confirm the importance of working together to preserve the historical and cultural memory of our land,” he emphasized.
Fran Hernández, the Second Deputy Mayor of La Laguna, highlighted the Cabildo’s intervention at the convent, stating, “The preservation of our historic complex is also a municipal priority, as it strengthens the identity of a UNESCO World Heritage city and ensures that such valuable spaces continue to be part of our community’s life. This restoration reminds us that protecting is not just about conserving buildings, but caring for the collective memory of La Laguna and projecting it into the future.”
Detected Damage and Scope of the Intervention
Before the restoration, the roofs of the Convent showed progressive deterioration that compromised both the safety of individuals and the building’s preservation. There was widespread displacement of tiles and numerous broken pieces, leading to the risk of falling debris onto the public pathway and the interior cloister. Additionally, a linear crack appeared in the eaves of the main nave, indicative of structural tensions, while water infiltration had begun to cause dampness in the beams and wooden elements, gradually weakening the roof’s stability.
The intervention allowed for the consolidation of the most affected areas, replacement of damaged pieces, and rectification of deformations, ensuring the roof’s waterproofing and the preservation of the convent’s heritage values.
An Architectural Gem
The Convent of Santa Clara, the first female convent in the Archipelago, was established between 1575 and 1577 with the patronage of Olalla Fonte del Castillo. After the fire of 1697, it was reconstructed and reopened for worship in 1700, forming the building essentially from the 18th century that we know today, which has been declared a Cultural Asset of Heritage Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural, BIC) since 1978. Its Mudejar-style ajimez (window) (1717) and the eight-part wooden framework of the main chapel stand out.
