Hoya Fría

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Military architecture · Year: 1937

Hoya Fría is an area of the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife located about 7 kilometres south of the urban centre of the capital. Its peculiarity lies in hosting an important military detachment settled on land donated in March 1937 by the businessman Álvaro Rodríguez López in favour of the new "National State". The owner offered two large estates in exchange for the release of a relative accused by the new regime of "attempted treason against the homeland". The transfer was made on the premise that the land would always be used strictly for military purposes. 

In 1937, in the midst of the Civil War, some quarters began to be built there with the aim of establishing a military camp mainly intended for training and shooting. A few years later, a series of coastal batteries were installed in its lower part, known as "Los Moriscos".

In 1964 the Hoya Fría detachment became a Recruit Training Centre (CIR 15), where those who were going to perform military service were received. Those assigned there, once measured, given their kitbag and after a period of drill instruction, took the oath of allegiance. After a week of leave, the recruit, now a soldier, joined the destination barracks, where they completed the rest of the compulsory military service period.

Currently, the Hoya Fría Barracks complex consists of a varied group of residences, warehouses and large grounds accessed through a large arch. The interior houses the "Tenerife" Infantry Regiment No. 49, as well as a detention centre for foreigners (CIE) with a capacity for almost 250 people.

Hoya Fría will always remain in the memory of all those who, replacement after replacement, entered there to begin their military service; their "mili".

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