Cabildo warns of €600,000 fines for harming heritage

As a preventive measure, Cultural Heritage has installed informative signage at the most visited sites and assets

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through its Cultural Heritage department, continues to work on preserving the island’s historic patrimony. As part of this protection strategy, preventive measures are essential to remind the public of the fragility of the heritage and that its care is a shared responsibility.

In this vein, the Cabildo’s Cultural Heritage team has launched a campaign to place informational signs at various archaeological sites and heritage assets across the island. The signs are installed at the locations most frequented by visitors, as well as at those that suffer the most damage or infractions. To date, signage has been placed at Casas de Pozo Negro I, El Cardón, Cueva de Esquinzo, Montaña del Sombrero, the Natural Monument Montaña de Tindaya, and the area surrounding the Casa de los Coroneles.

With these signs, the Department of Cultural Heritage reminds visitors that they are in a protected archaeological environment and stresses the importance of respecting the space and not removing or collecting objects from the area. It also warns that any alteration or damage to heritage is a crime under article 323 of the Penal Code or an administrative offense under the Canary Islands Cultural Heritage Law, punishable with fines that can reach €600,000 for very serious violations.

“Any alteration or damage to heritage is a crime under article 323 of the Penal Code or an administrative offense under the Canary Islands Cultural Heritage Law, punishable with fines up to €600,000 for very serious infractions,” the Cultural Heritage Department warns.

Island councilor Rayco León emphasizes that Fuerteventura’s archaeological heritage is primarily composed of assets from the island’s aboriginal past, already discovered or yet to be investigated. The goal is to prevent damage caused by visitors who are unaware of the sensitive zones or by intentional acts such as looting materials or inscribing on walls and other elements.

“The archaeological heritage of Fuerteventura is mainly composed of assets from the island’s aboriginal past, already discovered or yet to be investigated. We aim to prevent damage caused by visitors who are unaware of the zones or by intentional acts such as looting materials or inscribing on walls and other elements,” said Rayco León.