Punta Brava Residents Fight to Restore Iconic Mural Amid Urban Planning Dispute
Residents of Punta Brava are restoring a historic 2009 mural by Salvatore Cibelli, highlighting the ongoing struggle to preserve community-led urban art amidst local infrastructure development.
Urban art in the Canary Islands has evolved from simple decoration into a vital tool for bringing communities together. This is clearly shown by the recent controversy surrounding a mural in Punta Brava, Puerto de la Cruz. Created in 2009 by Italian artist Salvatore Cibelli, the mural is currently being restored by local residents after years of neglect and damage caused by nearby construction.
The mural is more than just art; it was the town’s first large-scale mural project, created five years before official initiatives turned the La Ranilla neighborhood into an open-air museum. Unlike government-led projects, this mural was born from a local need to improve a run-down space on the former home of Doña Carmen, a beloved local figure.
The mural’s decline wasn't just caused by the salty air and humidity, which the artist had previously managed. Tensions rose in 2015 when infrastructure work on Calle Tegueste and a recent promenade renovation blocked access to the wall. The artist claims that installing electrical equipment directly over the mural was a disregard for neighborhood heritage, carried out without consulting the residents or himself.
In response, Cibelli is now reinterpreting his work. The original design, which featured a banana tree to honor the area’s farming history, will now incorporate a fisherman’s warehouse to cover the new electrical structures. While restoration has begun, the artist needs professional scaffolding to safely reach the five-meter-high wall. This request is currently being reviewed by local government departments.
This situation highlights how easily community heritage can be overlooked during urban planning. The residents of Punta Brava are determined to save a site that has long served as a meeting point and tourist attraction, proving how essential citizen involvement is in managing public spaces. More than just a painting, Cibelli’s work has become a symbol of community spirit, helping to preserve the neighborhood’s identity amidst constant urban change.