Camino de Las Cruces

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Sites of memory · Year: S. XVII

This ancient path, also known as the Calvary path, ran through the southern part of the town connecting the El Cabo neighbourhood with the hermitage of Regla and the castle of San Juan.

Initially it crossed some wastelands far from the urban centre where, over time, areas were established for various unattractive activities, such as: executions, mass burials in case of epidemics, smuggling, etc. It was also the site of the construction of a gunpowder warehouse, some coastal batteries, fishing industries, a lazaretto and a shooting range. 

We suppose that this path was already open in the first half of the 17th century when it connected the town with the hermitage of La Regla and the fort of San Juan. The name Las Cruces or del Calvario possibly came from the proximity in the area of a calvary or the existence, along its route, of several wooden crosses. 

It is known that during the 18th century, given its remoteness, it was frequented by people of not very good character engaged in shady dealings, although on the other hand we also know that at the beginning of the following century it was a route frequented by the general commander marquis of Casa-Cagigal on his carriage outings. 

The Camino de Las Cruces became a street during the 20th century, when the now disappeared neighbourhood of Los Llanos was established in the area.

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