The Molina de Don Juan Armas, recently purchased by the local council for €400,000, is set to undergo a restoration process aimed at restoring its lost splendour after years of neglect, according to reports from the local council.
This week, the Mayor of San Bartolomé, Isidro Pérez, and the Councillor for Urban Planning, Marlene Romero, welcomed industrial heritage expert Amara Florido, who is tasked with compiling an inventory of the building’s valuable elements. This work constitutes a crucial first phase in the recovery project.
The Molina de Don Juan Armas is regarded as one of San Bartolomé’s architectural gems and a symbol of the municipality’s agricultural past. Its acquisition reflects the council’s commitment to preserve not only the physical structure but also the historical memory associated with this site.
Mayor Isidro Pérez noted that the purchase of the mill aims to ensure the conservation of a property that is part of the municipality’s material and immaterial heritage. He pointed out that the intervention will not only revamp the building but also keep alive the stories and memories connected to this centenary space.
The mayor emphasised that the council will seek the involvement of other institutions to secure funding for the works. “We aim to secure support from the Cabildo de Lanzarote and the Government of the Canary Islands in the coming months to carry out the necessary actions and turn this project into a reality,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Councillor for Urban Planning, Marlene Romero, described the operation as a “responsible endeavour” by the government group. She explained that the inventory work will allow for a precise understanding of the elements that must be preserved, facilitating the planning of subsequent actions.
The Heritage and Social Value of the Mill
Expert Amara Florido has indicated that, pending a complete analysis, this property can already be considered one of the most significant elements of the industrial heritage of San Bartolomé. Furthermore, she highlighted its importance in the social and economic history of both the municipality and the island.
The recovery of the Molina de Don Juan Armas is part of a broader municipal strategy for heritage preservation. The council seeks to salvage spaces that have defined the identity of the locality and make them available to the public, whether for cultural, social, or tourist purposes.
