Two capitals of Tenerife. Past and future

Let’s start with the present and the future. Today, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a modern city of many thousands. And of course, modern art is loved and respected by citizens, and how to implement ambitious plans for the future without it, such as taking second place among the cruise ports of Spain, taking it away from Malaga. Or reconstruct in the style of postmodernism the main square of the island and inscribe it destroyed in 1928 the main defensive citadel of the city - the fortress of San Cristobal, while doing it so that you will not even notice it.

In Santa Cruz, there are many examples of the interweaving of architectural styles and eras. Here in one building you can observe seemingly incompatible styles, such as modern and high-tech. And even the main city park Garcia Sanabria, laid out in the 20s of the last century, will give you many examples of modern architectural styles and solutions. Near the park, on the Rambla del General Franco, lovers of modern art are waiting for a whole scatter of amazing and interesting samples of it. Named here for the first time in 1973, the International Exhibition of Modern Street Sculpture opened, which was a resounding success among citizens and guests of the city. Since then, this exhibition has received a permanent status and you can see the works of such masters as the English sculptor Henry Spencer Moore or the Catalan artist Joan Miro. For Santa Cruz de Tenerife, such Spanish masters as Cesar Manrique worked, who gave the city one of his most famous living sculptures and designed the Maritimo Park, now this is a favorite holiday destination for citizens and, of course, Santiago Calatrava, according to the project of which the International Center for Exhibitions and Congresses was first built, and after the city residents appreciated the grandiose structure, the master received an order for a new symbol of the city. And he did a great job of that. Auditorio de Tenerife is by far the brightest star in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Not far from Auditorio is the final stop of the tram, which, by the way, is also quite modern. After a long break in 2007, it resumed its work, and we will go up to the pass to touch history. Quickly, quietly, on tracks buried in the green grass, the tram will take us to San Cristobal de la Laguna, the former capital of Tenerife. The historical part of the city, which has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999, has not changed for several centuries, and we will be able to observe many monuments of colonial architecture, including the oldest church on the island of Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Concepción and admire the old city from its bell tower, breathe the air of history and walk along the same stone pavements on which Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the founder and patron of San Cristobal de la Laguna, walked. And, of course, we wonder how higher education began in the overseas territories of Spain. La Laguna is the first university city, it was here that the oldest university in the Canary Islands was founded.