part of the floor of the square of San Jeronimoin Tacoronte, collapsed shortly before four in the afternoon on April 3, 2020, exposing a huge hole of about 30 square meters and almost four meters deep.. The area had been fenced off for several months due to the deformation of the terrain and the subsidence occurred in full state of alarm for the Covid-19, which prevented personal injuries, since all the squares and parks were closed. that incident originated from deficiencies in the expansion work of the plaza on the channeling of a ravine, executed in the 80s of the 20th century. The area was secured between December 2021 and January 2022, with the installation of a new concrete slab, and now, almost three years later, Tacoronte City Hall begins the works that will finally give a new image to this emblematic square.
This second phase of rehabilitation of the square of San Jeronimowhich has had the support of all political formations in the municipal plenary session, started last monday march 6 and it is expected that it can be completed within a period of about three months, if there are no incidents during its development.
The definitive rehabilitation project of the square covers a total area of 1,806 square meters, since it incorporates the perimeter road of the square into the enclosure and changes the entire space of the old construction for a more open surface, with fewer architectural barriers. The investment for this new stage of work is around 498,000 euros. If the costs of the initial action, demolition and execution of the slab are added, the total investment exceeds 700,000 euros.
This project It has been financed with the Tacoronte City Council’s own funds and prepared by the Municipal Technical Office and the municipal architect Javier Sainz de Leon. This is one of the main actions carried out with municipal funds in this mandate.
At the end of 2021, the area affected by the sinkhole over the ravine was repaired
The new image of the square of San Jeronimowhich can be viewed from June of this year, was agreed with the residents of the San Jerónimo neighborhood, “who raised their proposals and alternatives to the initial technical approaches, proposing some changes and improvements, to adapt to the space of a concept in which will gain a space for pedestrians, security and possibilities of use”, according to the local government.
The team that leads Jose Daniel Diaz (NC) emphasizes that the design chosen for this space will be a benchmark for future actions in the municipality of Tacoronte, since it is intended to establish environments that enhance the heritage and historical values in each area. In this case, the central element of the square is a small 17th century hermitagewhose environment was built by the residents themselves, who built a square enclosed by a perimeter wall.
After the repair of the collapse, which was delayed for technical reasons and also due to the pandemic, it is now proposed that the new space be diaphanous, without great differences in heights and better integrating the nearby sports area. In addition, you will have vegetation and equipment for the enjoyment of the neighborhood, “also making it possible for the square to grow on the road and the surroundings, while maintaining road traffic.”
The objective of the local government is to give the area a change of image, but recovering the idiosyncrasies of the place and the traditional path of tacoronte. The hermitage of San Jerónimo, with a rectangular plan measuring 12 by 6 meters, has a small attached sacristy. According to the tombstone located on its altar, this hermitage was ordered to be built by Oliveros de Romelet and his wife Isabel de Bolineauin 1654. It houses an image of Saint Jerome, in a praying position, with a bloody chest due to the beating that, as penance, is inflicted with the stone that he carries in his right hand. At his feet are a skull, a book and a lion. The set is from the 18th century, although there are some elements added later.
In this hermitage are also preserved a painting of San Judas Tadeo and another of San Simón, of which there are two other very similar versions in the church of La Concepción, in the municipality of La Laguna. In addition, there are paintings of angels and a pictorial work that represents the exact moment in which Herodias picks up the head of Saint John Baptist with a silver tray, delivered by the executioner.
