Plaza del Chicharro

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Squares, streets & markets · Year: 1979

This square is located at the junction of Valentn Sanz street (formerly del Norte) and Bethencourt Alfonso street (popularly known as San Jos). It is part of a slightly larger urban space that was named Alfrez Provisional until it was renamed at the initiative of local residents, following the placement, next to a magnificent specimen of dragon tree, of an allegorical sculpture of the fish known as Chicharro. This symbolic bronze sculpture was originally placed in 1979, donated to the city by the Venezuelan cultural group "Liqui-Liquis" as a gift to the city of Santa Cruz and the island of Tenerife. In 2000 it was stolen and practically destroyed, so in 2003 the current one, an exact replica of the original, was installed.

The sculpture has become the allegorical symbol of the city, since the inhabitants of Santa Cruz are called "chicharreros." This nickname comes from the historical association of the city with fishermen and the fishing of chicharro. This fishing activity was mainly carried out at night, with squads of small boats with five or six men on board who went to sea by rowing or sailing. They lit bonfires on the bow of the boat fed with pinewood, producing a bright light that attracted and dazzled the fish that were caught. There are writings from the 18th and 19th centuries describing the alignment of these lights at sea on calm nights, producing a beautiful spectacle with their reflection from the coast. The catches arrived at dawn on the beaches or the pier, where they were often sold directly; on other occasions, they were taken to sales points in baskets carried on women's heads.

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