Battery of the Lazaretto

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Sites of memory · Year: Siglo XVIII

This battery was located adjoining the building constructed as a lazaretto or place of exile, 20 metres from the coastline and very close to the Castle of San Juan. We do not know the exact year of its construction, but it was active in 1788. It was circular in structure, like a small castle, four and a half metres high and had two annexed rooms intended to house troops and a store for ammunition. It was armed with one 16-pounder and two 12-pounders, and garrisoned by a sergeant, a corporal and 10 soldiers. It defended this very sparsely inhabited area and prevented possible landings on a low coastline with a good beach. In 1924 it was declared inadequate for defence and its sale was arranged, after which it was demolished.

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