Veneno and Redonda Cisterns Open to the Public for the First Time in La Oliva
The La Oliva City Council has completed the restoration and re‑commissioning of the Aljibe del Veneno and Redonda, a historic complex that exemplifies traditional hydraulic architecture on Fuerteventura.
With the inauguration ceremony on Friday, a new interpretation centre—originally part of the “Ruta del Agua” (Water Route)—was officially opened to visitors.
The Department of Tourism and Environment, continuing the momentum of the recent reopening of the Castillo del Tostón in El Cotillo (November), announced that the project not only rescues an 18th‑century water‑management landmark but also anchors it on three strategic pillars: sustainability, tourism, and social development.
A New Narrative for Tourism
The municipality aims to move beyond the classic sun‑and‑beach model that has long defined Fuerteventura’s tourism. Instead, it is promoting a tourism strand that highlights the island’s history, heritage, and local customs.
Understanding the Aljibe
The restored aljibe showcases how historic Fuerteventura adapted to its arid environment and maximised scarce water resources.
Beyond attracting tourists, the site is intended to contribute to the social development of local residents. It will serve as an educational tool, conveying the importance of historic heritage and water management to new generations and the wider community, emphasizing collective memory and the efforts of ancestors.
Sustainable Re‑use
Sustainability is a core element of the reopening. The council prioritises optimising existing assets rather than launching new construction, ensuring that current municipal infrastructure is up‑to‑date and fit for purpose.
Voices from the Council
Isaí Blanco, Mayor of La Oliva:
“Recovering our historic heritage is essential. We will continue working on restoring La Oliva’s historic and patrimonial assets and invite both locals and visitors to discover the story of our town.”
David Fajardo, Councillor for Tourism and Environment:
“These aljibes were once forgotten treasures. With this new approach, tourism becomes a hook to promote social development and sustainability, presenting tourists, residents, and future generations with the history and identity of the Majorero people and their ingenious water‑use in such an arid setting.”
David Fajardo on the centre’s economic impact:
“By charging admission we aim to generate a direct financial return for the City Council, which will be reinvested in the management and future initiatives of this kind. The interpretation centre also creates jobs for our tourism graduates, allowing them to build prosperous careers without leaving the municipality.”
Lola García, President of the Cabildo Insular of Fuerteventura:
“The Aljibe del Veneno and Redonda supplied water to La Oliva for many years, turning water into a shared and sacred good. From the Cabildo we reaffirm our commitment to preserve this valuable heritage that connects us to our history and identity.”
Funding
The project is financed through the “Naturally La Oliva” Tourist Sustainability Destination Plan, which is part of the EU‑backed Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Programme (Next Generation EU).