Adios Franco – the demolition of Tenerife’s history

It’s hidden away in the depths of the pine forest and it’s covered in graffiti; however, Franco’s monolith near the Las Raíces zona recreativa is an important part of Tenerife’s history.
The monument marks the spot where Army Officers met in June 1936 to pledge their support to the ‘Generalisimo’ prior to the start of the Spanish civil war.

But if you want to see it, you’d better get your skates on as the Island’s Government has just voted to get rid of it.

Personally, I don’t agree with the ‘retirement’ of historic monuments – it’s akin to sweeping the bits of your past which you don’t like under the carpet. At least the government is planning to replace it with another monument. The difference with the proposed new one is that it will be dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the conflict irrespective of who they supported.