The cost of the work has exceeded 250,000 euros and falls within the Island Programme for Historic Heritage 2023-2027.
The Cabildo of Tenerife, through the Department of Historic Heritage, has recently presented the partial restoration of the side chapels located at the head of the Church of the Conception in La Laguna. The works have involved an investment of 249,566.80 euros, of which 199,653.44 euros have been subsidised by the Insular Corporation, while the Town Council contributes 49,913.36 euros. The project has been directed by architect Alejandro Beautell García.
The island director explains that this initiative falls within the Island Programme for Historic Heritage 2023-2027, which “defines the actions that must be undertaken annually in the rehabilitation of cultural heritage properties. This programme, in effect since 2023, includes grants aimed at individuals, property communities, town councils, and the Bishopric, promoting the recovery of rural and urban heritage. It also supports the drafting of municipal catalogues and special protection plans for historic sets.”
On another note, the island director recalled the significant commitment from the insular government to support the area with a budget allocation of 15 million euros for this year, “which will allow for the execution of numerous projects ranging from architectural rehabilitation to restoration and intervention in public spaces,” noted Isabel de Esteban.
The restoration project aims to ensure the watertightness, structural stability, and conservation of the aforementioned property, declared a Cultural Asset of Interest (BIC) with Monument category and located within the Historic Set of La Laguna, which is also protected as BIC.
The works have focused on the head of the temple and are divided into four main areas:
Flower Room: demolition of the deteriorated slab and construction of a new traditional wooden structure, with waterproofing using EPDM sheeting and ceramic finishing.
Domes over the presbytery and choir: application of waterproof paint, with special attention paid to gutters and drains.
Sacristy and Virgin’s chamber: replacement of damaged parts, removal of vegetation, and improvement of waterproofing in the buttresses.
Side chapels: dismantling of existing concrete, metal, or wooden structures; restoration of the original slopes; new wooden cuperised structure, thermal insulation with fiberglass blanket, and repositioning of traditional ceramic tiles.
More interventions
The Cabildo of Tenerife, through the Department of Heritage, has agreed to grant over 200,000 euros to the Bishopric of Tenerife for the restoration of nine movable assets that are part of ecclesiastical and Tenerife cultural heritage.
The other movable assets to be restored are as follows:
Image of Saint Lawrence. Parish of Saint Lawrence Martyr (Valle San Lorenzo, Arona). 18th-century image.
Main Altarpiece. Church of San Francisco de Asís (Puerto de la Cruz). 18th-century altarpiece, anonymous, in carved, polychromed, and gilded wood.
Altarpiece of the Lord of Cañita, phase I. Parish of Our Lady of the Conception (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). Baroque altarpiece (prior to 1737), anonymous, in carved, polychromed, and gilded wood.
Altarpiece of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Parish of Our Lady of Light (Guía de Isora). Neogothic altarpiece, anonymous and from the early 20th century.
Altarpiece of the Lord of Tribulations. Parish of San Francisco de Asís (Santa Cruz de Tenerife). Baroque altarpiece from the mid-18th century, anonymous.
Altarpiece of the Blessed Sacrament (phase II). Parish of Our Lady of the Snows (Taganana, Santa Cruz de Tenerife). Niche altarpiece, made of carved and polychromed wood. Anonymous, Canary Baroque from the 18th century.
Furthermore, aside from the movable assets, a grant is awarded to the aforementioned Diocese for the restoration of the Chapel of Sorrows (Icod de los Vinos) and the Van Damme House (La Laguna), for an amount of 879,019.95 euros.
