The Granadilla de Abona Town Council has recently awarded the works for the future Magallanes Interpretation Centre, an educational facility dedicated to exploring the historic voyage of the Portuguese navigator and his stopover in the municipality during the first circumnavigation of the globe.
The project, titled Restructuring and Renovation of the Existing Urban Park and New Construction of the Magallanes Interpretation Centre at Sotavento Urban Park, will take place in the area situated between El Cano and Hernán Cortés streets.
The awarded company, Desarrollos e Iniciativas Canarias, was the sole bidder for the initiative.
This project falls under the Tourism Sustainability Plan, funded by European Union Recovery Mechanism funds – Next Generation EU, obtained in 2022.
With a budget of €1.268 million and a projected duration of six months, the initiative includes the revitalisation of public space and the construction of a cultural building aimed at highlighting the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan and the first circumnavigation of the globe.
The design includes the reorganisation of the park’s usage, currently divided into four zones, and the addition of new facilities such as sports areas, family spaces, an outdoor amphitheatre, and green zones with native vegetation. The new Magallanes Interpretation Centre, partially integrated into the chosen site, will feature an open exhibition space, auxiliary rooms, and outdoor areas for cultural activities.
Commencement of Works
According to municipal sources, the works will commence before the end of the year and are designed as “an impetus for the Sotavento area,” with a direct impact on tourism and commercial activities. The council aims to establish the park as a gathering point open to all citizens.
The mayor of Granadilla de Abona, the nationalist José Domingo Regalado, emphasised that the new project in the Sotavento urban park is “strategic” for the municipality. “It will not only enhance public space but also provide new cultural and tourist equipment that will attract both residents and visitors,” he stated. “This is an investment in quality of life and the future of Granadilla, connected to the achievements of Magellan, which placed our name in universal history.”
From the Works Department, the responsible councillor, Marcos Antonio Rodríguez, highlighted the “innovative approach” of the initiative, designed with sustainability, modernity, and respect for the environment in mind. “In developing this project, we have paid attention to every detail, from landscape integration to the materials chosen to withstand coastal conditions. The goal is for the park to be functional, safe, and durable,” he explained.
