SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 15th May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Tenerife Cabildo and the Buenavista del Norte City Council have inked a deal for the restoration of the historic Punta de Teno Lighthouse, with a budget totalling €1,646,651. The project is being funded through Next Generation Funds and aims to enhance the area and its surroundings.
The Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, along with the mayor of Buenavista del Norte, Eva García, recently met with technicians from both administrations to discuss the project details, following the transfer of management of the old building from the Port Authority to the municipality.
Blanca Pérez emphasised that the restoration of the old Teno Lighthouse “aims to reclaim a landmark space in Tenerife, situated in a privileged location that could evolve into a sustainable meeting point offering a unique view of the Cliffs of the Giants.” She further added, “The restoration includes various improvements to provide water and electricity to the building, and to adapt the interior for a café or restaurant, along with underground bathrooms next to a storage area.”
An allocation of €300,000 is earmarked for the establishment of the Interpretation Centre of the old Punta de Teno Lighthouse, which will be equipped with necessary facilities to showcase the cultural and social significance the infrastructure held in the past, as well as the Teno Rural Park surroundings.
The mayor of Buenavista highlighted that the municipality “celebrates the signing of this agreement, which will fulfil a longstanding demand for the Punta de Teno area, providing services to a currently closed site,” following an earlier agreement with the port authority to grant access.
This agreement “will enable the renovation works of the old lighthouse, equipping it with facilities and transforming it into a visitor centre where the rich heritage values of the massif, particularly Punta de Teno, can be shared,” she added.
The project aligns with the Tourism Sustainability Plan for the Isla Baja region and the Teno Rural Park, funded under the Next Generation Funds of the European Union. Its objectives include reducing the ecological impact of tourism activities, engaging the Isla Baja community and tourism sector in a sustainable model from environmental, social, and economic perspectives, and ensuring the preservation of natural and cultural resources of the region, among other aims.
The original Teno Lighthouse ceased operations after being sold in 1978 when a modern tower was commissioned for navigation support. The building, dating back to 1897, remains well-preserved and is included in Spain’s Catalogue of Lighthouses with Heritage Value by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports, maintaining significant historical and navigational importance.
