Canary Islands Heritage Council Rejects Declaring Franco Monument in Tenerife a BIC

The Council of Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands has decided not to grant the highest protection status to the sculpture by Juan de Ávalos.

Image of the Monument to Franco at the intersection of Rambla de Santa Cruz and Avenida de Anaga, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
IA

Image of the Monument to Franco at the intersection of Rambla de Santa Cruz and Avenida de Anaga, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The plenary session of the Council of Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands agreed this Thursday, June 11, to reject the declaration as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) of the sculpture known as the Franco Monument, located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The decision follows the proceedings initiated by the Cabildo of Tenerife in October 2024, in compliance with a court ruling. The advisory body concluded that the sculpture, created by Juan de Ávalos, does not possess the necessary heritage values for protection under the highest guardianship figure provided for in Canary Islands cultural heritage legislation.
The agreement was adopted by a large majority: sixteen votes against the declaration, one abstention, and no votes in favor. Previously, the Technical Committee for Architectural Heritage of the Council had already issued an unfavorable opinion after examining the documentation.
The Council of Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands is the main coordination and consultation body for cultural heritage in the archipelago. It comprises representatives from the Government of the Canary Islands, the seven island councils, the Federation of Canary Islands Municipalities, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Miguel Arcángel, professional colleges, Canary Islands universities, museums, and associations dedicated to heritage defense.