The fortress or former military stronghold of Bufadero, situated in San Andrés, stands as the only historical structure of its kind listed in the preliminary catalogue for safeguarding Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s architectural legacy. This document was endorsed by the Urban Planning and Management Service of the City Council’s Governing Board in March 2022, ensuring that other heritage sites must undergo a thorough assessment before being considered for inclusion.
This revelation was disclosed by the Urban Planning Department in response to inquiries from the Socialist Group during a recent municipal oversight committee meeting. The group had raised concerns about the proposed initiatives by the city council concerning the antiquated strongholds located in various areas, such as the La Alegría neighborhood, Bufadero, St. Andrew’s Mountain, San Roque Mountain (former military stronghold of San Andrés), and Las Teresitas.
In response, the Urban Management department explained that “the possible protection of these mentioned facilities will be incorporated into the municipal preservation register, including buildings with significant heritage value justifying their inclusion.” Additionally, they stated that “the preliminary version only encompasses the El Bufadero stronghold as part of alternative 3.”
Meanwhile, PSOE spokesperson, Florentino Guzmán, expressed concern that “the preservation of historical installations is contingent solely on an ongoing cataloguing process.” Guzmán urged for “specific measures” to be taken and questioned whether the exclusion of all but one historical stronghold in the preliminary catalogue indicates a lack of genuine commitment to conserving the architectural heritage of our city.
A relic from the 19th century military era
The Bufadero stronghold is a military fortification dating back to the 19th century. Currently nestled behind a line of trees, secluded from the TF-11 highway upon returning from San Andrés, its original purpose was coastal defense. It was outfitted with a cannon platform and an arsenal for ammunition storage.
