The Adeje project, ‘El Patrimonio es Nuestra’ (This is Our Heritage), an initiative of the artistic and historical heritage department under councillor Juan Desiderio Afonso Ruiz, has just completed the cycle of school visits for the 2021/22 academic year, which welcomed 240 students from the different primary and secondary schools in the borough.
“All the students who visited the town’s heritage sites this year, a year when we revived the tours following the pandemic, enjoyed spending time getting to know some of the history of the borough, visiting different areas that have a BIC (officially recognised area of cultural interest) designation, such as the Camino de la Virgin – a traditional walk over the hills from the town to San Sebastian”, said the councillor. He added that the visits began in 2013, and allows heritage to be used as an educational tool for our younger residents.
Leaving aside the two years of the pandemic, this particular project has been running for nine years during which time over three thousand students, from schools from Adeje and other boroughs have visited the most relevant heritage sites here.
“The curiosity that this kind of heritage education sparks can be the start of a somewhat magical journey for the students”, remarked the councillor, who said that “in the visits our aim is to show, through these sites of cultural interest, the evolution and development of Adeje from antiquity to modern times”.
The Plaza de España, the Convento de San Francisco, the Santa Úrsula church, the exterior of the Casa Fuerte, the hamlet of Taucho, the Camino de la Virgin, these are all emblematical points which can be part of guided visits. Other local inclusions can include the Canarian Library and the local hotel, La Fonda Central, which are both prime examples of traditional architecture.
The project isn’t designed solely for school children, and visits can be organised for residents who are interested in finding out more about the diversity and richness that the local heritage and architecture can offer.
In parallel, during these visits students have been invited to the council chamber and they can elect a mayor from their class, who will receive the official symbols of office! The students will also be met by at least one elected official during their visit who will explain the workings of the council, and the responsibilities and obligations of elected officials.
Department of Communications