San Andrés Cemetery Reopens for Worship After Four Decades of Abandonment

The Traslarena cemetery in San Andrés, located near Las Teresitas beach, has officially reopened for worship. For the first time since the 1980s, the site hosted a religious service for All Souls' Day, marking a major milestone in the preservation of the area’s funerary heritage.

The return of the Eucharist is the result of years of advocacy by local residents. The cemetery had fallen into such disrepair that religious services were impossible, but persistent community pressure eventually convinced authorities to prioritize its restoration. For the people of San Andrés, the site is more than just a cemetery; it is a vital part of their local identity and history.

The rehabilitation project is being completed in stages. According to the El Pescador neighborhood association, the first phase—which included stabilizing the chapel and upgrading basic infrastructure—is finished. Work is now underway on the second phase, which aims to fully restore the site. The resumption of religious services not only helps preserve Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s architectural history but also provides families with a place to gather once again, ending over forty years of abandonment.