Cabildo Safeguards the Environment of La Florida’s Ethnographic Village
Cabildo and Town Hall approve the perimeter fencing project for La Florida to ensure safety and protect it from looting and vandalism
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura and the Tuineje Town Hall have approved today a perimeter‑fencing project for the Public Historic Heritage site of La Florida. The initiative, commissioned by the Cabildo’s Service of Works and Machinery, is part of the “Fuerteventura, Beautiful by Nature” programme and aims to safeguard the architectural ensemble while preventing accidents among visitors. Informational panels will also be installed.
Project Overview
- Area covered: more than 100,000 m²
- Fencing: 1,500 linear metres of 1.5 m‑high posts and ropes, creating a non‑intrusive visual barrier while clearly delimiting non‑traversable zones.
- Additional measures: installation of panels explaining the historical importance of La Florida; safety works on previously open wells, including demolition of unsafe walls, reconstruction using original techniques, and the addition of safety grates.
- Supervision: direct oversight by the Cabildo’s Service for Prevention, Fire Extinction and Rescue (SPEIS).
“This is the first step toward the restoration of the village. In parallel, the Heritage and Museums area is already working on the necessary actions to rehabilitate this historic rural architecture, which represents the customs and identity of the Majoreros,” said the President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.
“La Florida suffers from structural deterioration and has repeatedly been the target of looting and vandalism. Therefore, the perimeter fence is essential to preserve the forthcoming comprehensive intervention on this Public Historic Heritage site, after addressing the potential hazards of the open wells,” explained Blas Acosta, Councillor for Works and Machinery.
The project was presented by the Cabildo’s own Territorial and Environmental Management unit (Gesplan) in the presence of Heritage Councillor Jonathan Peña, Cultural Heritage Councillor Rayco León, and Security Councillor Lolina Negrín.
Historical Significance
The Caserío de La Florida is part of the island’s Public Historic Heritage. It is a collection of rural and utilitarian architecture that reflects the way of life of interior Majoreros from roughly three centuries ago. The site includes:
- Traditional dispersed houses built with stone, lime, sand and mud, some dating back to the 18th century.
- Ethnographic assets linked to agricultural and livestock activities: livestock pens, aljibes (water cisterns), small maretas and gavias, and the remains of a tahona (grain mill).
Like other interior zones of the island, the village endured raids by English pirates, who looted fields and homes. Despite limited means of defence, the locals achieved notable victories, such as the battles of Tamacite and Llano Florido, where they famously employed camels in combat.
Funding and Timeline
The “Fuerteventura, Beautiful by Nature” commission, overseen by Blas Acosta’s department and executed by Gesplan, spans 15 months (2024‑2025). It allocates €4 million of Cabildo funds to roughly one hundred “proximity actions” that directly:
- Preserve the natural environment surrounding La Florida.
- Enhance visitors’ perception and experience of the site.
- Improve the quality of life for local residents.