Santa Lastenia Cemetery

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Religious architecture · Year: 1910-1926 · Authors: Antonio Pintor y Ocete

The limited size of the old cemetery of San Rafael and San Roque, built in the early 19th century, caused it to become overcrowded by the end of that century. In 1909 the City Council, after agreeing on the best land to establish a new cemetery, decided to acquire a large plot near the mountain of Hoya Fría, at the southern end of the municipal area.

The plans for the new burial ground were drawn up in 1910 by the municipal architect Antonio Pintor, with the entire complex centred around three buildings of Neo-Romanesque typology: one at the entrance, intended for the needs of the mortuary; another in the centre, intended as a chapel and to house a pantheon of illustrious men; and the last, outside the enclosure, a two-storey building intended for offices and the chaplain’s residence.

The large plot was divided into two large parcels: the first near the entrance for pantheons and more expensive graves; the second, further away, for the rest of the burials and the niches.

The works, interrupted by the Great War, were extended until well into the second decade of the 20th century, although this did not prevent the first burial from taking place in May 1916. Even today, after numerous successive expansions, this cemetery continues to serve its function.

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