Tenerife’s historic religious buildings and artworks are set to benefit from more than €2.5 million in restoration funding from the island council.
The Cabildo de Tenerife has awarded €2,501,147.10 to the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, also known as the Bishopric of Tenerife, to fund conservation and restoration work during 2026.
The programme covers three historic churches, ten works of art and two historic organs across several municipalities. It’s an important investment in preserving the island’s religious and cultural heritage, much of which has been around for generations.
Three historic churches to be restored
The largest share of the funding is going towards restoration work at three churches. The combined budget for these projects is almost €3.92 million, funded jointly by the Cabildo and the Bishopric.
The projects are:
- San Antonio de Padua Church, Granadilla de Abona: Restoration work with a total budget of €1,419,591.19, including €764,047.78 from the Cabildo.
- Santo Domingo Church, La Orotava: A €1.5 million project, with the Cabildo and Bishopric contributing equal amounts.
- San Juan Bautista Church, San Juan de la Rambla: The second phase of restoration, with a budget of €1 million and €557,067.24 in funding from the Cabildo.
Ten historic artworks and features
A further €334,285.31 has been allocated towards restoring ten historic objects and decorative features, with the projects carrying a combined budget of €360,806.11, including contributions from the parishes.
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the work includes the images of Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Nicholas, along with the altarpieces of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Candelaria at the Church of Our Lady of the Conception.
The altarpiece of Our Lady of the Rosary at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Taganana is also included.
In La Laguna, restoration is planned for the relief altarpiece depicting the Nativity at the former Hospital of Los Dolores, the Corpus Christi procession platform at the Cathedral, and the Mudéjar wooden ceiling in the Chapel of Saint John the Evangelist at the Church of Our Lady of the Conception.
Elsewhere on the island, the programme includes a painting of Saint Catherine of Siena at Santa Ana Church in Garachico, and the pulpit at the Church of San Marcos Evangelista in Icod de los Vinos.
Two historic organs also included
The final part of the programme provides €95,746.87 towards restoring two historic musical instruments.
One is located at the Church of Our Lady of the Conception in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The other is the 1920 Amezúa organ, housed at the Church of San Jorge, also in the island capital.
Both instruments form part of Tenerife’s historic musical heritage, and the planned work is intended to help preserve them for the future.
The funding will support specific conservation and restoration projects tailored to the condition and requirements of each building, artwork and instrument.