Semaphore of Igueste de San Andrés or La Atalaya

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Civil architecture · Year: 1891

This interesting building located at the summit of the last slope of the Anaga mountain range visible from Santa Cruz when looking north, was an important transmitter of news about navigation approaching the city's port. Marine semaphore stations were useful establishments for connecting, through various signalling codes (flags, lights, telegraph, etc.), incoming ships with maritime authorities, shipping agents, or any other port entity.

The Igueste de San Andrés semaphore, also known as La Atalaya (being located near a watchtower that was of great service in the past warning of enemy fleet presence), was proposed by a Royal Order dated 28 March 1884. The project was drafted by engineer Juan León y Castillo and approved in Madrid by the Public Works Advisory Board on 29 October 1886. Not only was the building designed, but instructions were given to build a small jetty at the foot of the cliff, as well as a winding service path to overcome the steep slope to reach the building. Construction began on 5 July 1887 and finished in early 1891.

The building consists of four different sections: the first, with a classical façade topped by a pediment, has a rectangular floor plan housing offices and rooms for the service personnel; the second, adjacent to the first, has a corridor where the storerooms are located; the third features a large octagonal room surrounded by large openings overlooking a wide view of the sea, serving as an observation area; finally, there is a large terrace with a tall mast in the centre where flags were hoisted for communication both with ships and the port.

The commissioning of the Igueste Semaphore in the last decade of the 19th century represented a major advance in the port services of Santa Cruz. The port was warned several hours in advance of the arrival of ships seeking it. As communications advanced, first with the telegraph and later with radio, the semaphore became obsolete and gradually fell into disrepair. Today its condition is lamentable, threatening ruin.

28.523304, -16.145448