Los Lavaderos

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Civil architecture · Year: 1839-42 · Authors: Gregorio Carta

In 1835 it was agreed to request permission from the King to build public washhouses in Santa Cruz.  They were built over the Ancheta ravine, a short distance from the main aqueduct that supplied the town with water from the heights of Anaga and which was conducted to the locality by means of wooden channels.

The building project for the new washhouses was presented in 1836 by Gregorio Carta, director of the fire pumps and master builder. The complex was inaugurated in 1842.

The building has a square plan with four bays. In the interior space, where there was initially a courtyard, a permanent water tank was built, covered years later, like a cistern. Sixty washing basins were installed attached to the wall. On one side stood the room for the drying area.

The washing stones were rented to the washerwomen for a small amount of money, including in the price the water to be used.

After many years of abandonment, the building currently hosts cultural activities of the adjacent neighbourhood and functions as an exhibition hall.

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