The Natural Environment department of the Tenerife Island Council and the Town Hall of Buenavista del Norte have signed an agreement to renovate the old Punta de Teno lighthouse, with a budget of €1,646,651 financed through Next Generation Funds. The aim is to enhance the space and its surroundings. The island’s councillor, Blanca Pérez, and the mayoress, Eva García, held a meeting –along with technicians from both administrations– to tackle the project after the Port Authority transferred the management of the old building to the municipality.
Blanca Pérez highlights that the work aims to “restore an emblematic area of Tenerife in a privileged location that can become a sustainable meeting point, with the unique perspective of the Cliffs of the Giants.” The refurbishment includes the necessary works to supply the building with water and electricity, and to adapt the building’s layout for a cafeteria or restaurant, as well as underground bathrooms, along with a storage area. The councillor announces €300,000 to “create the interpretation centre for the old Punta de Teno lighthouse,” which will have the necessary services “to highlight the cultural and social values it had, as well as the surroundings of the Teno Rural Park.”
Eva García, the mayoress of Buenavista, points out that with the signing of the agreement, “a historic demand for this spot will become a reality.” She also mentions that the project “will provide services to a place that is currently closed” and for which the Council and the Port Authority signed an agreement for use. The mayoress emphasises the heritage, dissemination, and revaluation aspects of the area through the execution of a project that she thanks the Island Council for, “for continuing to invest in spots like Punta de Teno and improving the facilities of a regulated natural area that demands services to continue betting on its conservation.”
The project is part of the Touristic Sustainability Plan for the Isla Baja and the Teno Rural Park, funded through the Next Generation Fund grants. Its objectives include reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activity; involving the local population and tourism sector of the region in the development of a sustainable model from environmental, social, and economic perspectives; as well as ensuring the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Isla Baja. This will enhance the destination’s values and improve the competitiveness of SMEs in the tourism sector.
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The old Punta de Teno lighthouse has been inoperative since 1978 when its old beacon was alienated and a tower with a more advanced beacon was put into operation. The original building, dating back to 1897, is in very good condition overall and is included in Spain’s Catalogue of Lighthouses with Cultural Value by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. It also retains significant value for its support to navigation, due to the representativeness of its typology, technology, and future viability.
