Extensive Inventory Triples Heritage Findings in La Laguna
La Laguna has unveiled results from the Ethnographic Inventory of Geneto and Los Baldíos, revealing 182 heritage assets—68% more than previously recorded. This study will be included in the Urban Planning Department’s technical documentation, enhancing the Municipal Catalogue of Heritage Assets as part of the new General Planning Plan.
The findings were presented at the San Miguel de Geneto Community Centre, showcasing a year-long effort to analyse the region’s rural heritage, significant for its agricultural tradition and historical role as a transit point on the island.
Councillor for Land Use and Cultural Heritage, Adolfo Cordobés, emphasised the project’s importance and community involvement. “This inventory demonstrates the rich and diverse ethnographic heritage of Los Baldíos and San Miguel and San Bartolomé de Geneto. We’ve increased our registered items from 58 in 2017 to 182, many of which are newly discovered and lack protection. This will aid in developing a more thorough and useful municipal catalogue for orderly conservation,” he stated.
Commissioned by the Urban Planning Department and executed by Trivo in collaboration with Cultania, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the area’s heritage. It includes detailed reports, a digital database, and cartographic layers pinpointing each asset’s location.
A multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, anthropologists, ethnographers, and historians employed various methods, including administrative document reviews, historic mapping, aerial photography, systematic land surveys, and interviews with local residents.
The inventory identifies traditional buildings, hydraulic infrastructure, housing clusters, and symbolic-religious elements, offering a broad view of the area’s cultural landscape and history. Cordobés reiterated the need for clear technical guidance in decision-making regarding heritage protection.
He noted that the study does not introduce legal changes or impact current legal status but aims to facilitate future cataloguing processes with precision and transparency. He praised the community’s contribution over the past year, highlighting the importance of oral traditions in reconstructing local history.
The inventory shows that traditional buildings constitute the largest group, with 112 structures—61.5% of the total—reflecting the area’s agrarian architecture. Hydraulic ponds and deposits make up 13.2%, with residential complexes at 9.3% and threshing floors at 6.6%.
However, the overall conservation status is concerning, with many assets ranging from fair to poor condition due to the decline of traditional agricultural activities, vegetation overgrowth, and urban pressure. Conversely, religious symbols like the Calvary of Las Tres Cruces remain well-maintained thanks to community care.
Cordobés highlighted that this new study complements earlier work in the northeast region and the updating of archaeological sites in the municipality. “We are building a solid and updated documentary base to strengthen the Municipal Catalogue of Heritage Assets, which is essential for the new General Planning Plan. La Laguna is committed to documenting, preserving, and promoting its cultural heritage,” he concluded.
This work contributes to ongoing efforts by the Urban Planning Department, which has updated 83 archaeological sites, including habitation caves, rock art, and more, supported by precise documentation and 3D models. Integrating these studies into urban planning will provide a more complete picture of La Laguna’s cultural heritage in the forthcoming General Planning Plan.
