Former great Spanish house becomes environmental issue of history of Spain Tenerife.
Discover a rare environmental issue by looking below... This proto type farm estate of picture book Spanish architecture called la Gorvorana should have deserved the same fate like the country estate museum Abaco of Puerto Cruz. Imagine what could have become of La Gorvorana by comparing with Abaco photos, here. Both mansions were once proud landmarks of Tenerife North by Puerto de la Cruz, although not always as big in size as now.
Tenerife patrimonio of history of Spain:
Francisco Gorvolán was known as a pal of the Adelantado de Lugo with whom he conquerred Tenerife for Spain which means the Spanish crown. Some time after the last battle against the Guanches on July 25, 1496 Capitano Gorvolán received land which was later known as La Gorvorana. It included what is today's Valle los Potreros, Los Portreros, la Longuera and Toscal. It ended by the seashore of Romantica 1 and 2 by the actual Hotel Maritim of Realejos.
This Tenerife estate of Los Portreros of early history of Spain Tenerife had done its duty for a prosperous healthy environment of fertile man made fields during the VII and VIII centuries. However suddenly, it fell more and more into disarray. This land was agricultural environment and was somehow different compared to other man made country, which almost caused issues with the environment by Buenavista's Isla Baja. In 2001, the town of Los Realejos bought the problematic estate Gorvorana which then totalled 10000 m2. It had all good intentions to give it credit and to revive it, as part of important Tenerife patrimonio. Patrimonio means translated historic national heritage in this context. Park Parque el Valle (valley park)
Part of the 10000 m2 estate La Gorvorana included rural El Bosque. It was put to some good use by its environment, as depicted beside. A green lung called park Parque el bosque is there now.Although Cyclone Xynthia didn't do that much damage on Tenerife Island, la Gorvorana's roofs were ruffled by its storms badly.
Meantime, its solid farmhouse walls are still standing up against any weather, contrary to the stone work of Fort San Andres which were part of environmental problems of the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz. However, La Gorvorana's guts are not improving. They seem to have become a wildlife sanctuary to judge by pigeons. They roost under its roofs. Bats and rats are certainly companions. This is not exactly a healthy environment for a preschool next door. This newest social contribution for young children had become one of major political issues for the 2011 Los Realejos elections because of the deteriorating La Gorvorana. Mind that Los Realejos is big with an area whose size may be glimpsed here... Environmental issue estate history Gorvorana:
However unfortunately, La Gorvorana Realejos puts its whole suburb Los Portreros with all its new apartment buildings and villas to shame.All this will be added as another legend to the intriguing history Tenerife of the region. La Gorvorana will be another soon forgotten story of a much deplorable example of an environmental issue which had to be hushed up. However, life is not all easy. We can't just point fingers with such an environmental problem. More problem farms of Los RealejosBy the way, La Gorvorana farm is one of three major Haciendas of Los Realejos. The Finca Tenerife La Hacienda de los Principes is the only one which has been partly restored, while the historical Hacienda Casa de la Pared of the ancient Camino Realmay be the next environmental issue, once its last residents have moved out.
Los Realejos Ermita Gorvorana:Discover the chapel Ermita la Gorvorana just a little below the farm Gorvorana by the main street of the same name... This tiny church had all the help to become Tenerife patrimonio Los Realejos. However, not once have I seen its doors open.Tenerife towns short of money:Los Realejos is not an exception for money problems for historical restorations. Recession of the last years since 2009 has worked much against this one more problem with environmental awareness by Puerto de la Cruz. Repairing the monumental Gorvorana would certainly cost as much as €5 million. So much was needed at the time for a similar estate called Casa del Patio of Tenerife.Besides, 3 more big historic estates which were bought by Los Realejos would also require much financing to convert them again into good national patrimonio estate. Another environmental problem adds to political issues:Meantime, La Longuera of the elusive Captain Gorvolán alias Gorvoran is expecting some decisive face lift, as was promised again before the 2011 regional and national elections. Besides, La Longuera Los Realejos has received a brand new socker stadium, with artificial lawn which costs in the region of €20 or €22 a square meter, so I am told. Its much needed preschool creche for children up to 3 years old will soon be finished in autumn 2011. It is right beside la Gorvorana. Both latter novelties will cool town heads against an unfortunate but minor environmental issue, as some residents see it.
All that's missing very much is a Mercadona supermarket. However that topic called Mercadona shopping created the latest big environmental issue some time during middle of May 2011, as the stores would have been in a residential area by the Longuera Primary School. There, a big commotion with loudspeakers and some protesting took place. This place of eye sore would have been covered up by Mercadona. I could see and hear a proglamation from my balcony. It was defending the location's peace.
Could La Gorvorana's problem have been avoided?Perhaps, there was such a chance, at the right time before recession started in 2009. In fact, a farmstead should be flexible and should turn to new income ideas. Farmers shouldn't wait until the last minutes, when agriculture's profits are too low. Meantime, a new business venture in a farm like surrounding may look promising by using its ideal environment for investment, such as happened at el Monasterio theme park of Los Realejos. Return to La Longuera Tenerife. How to copy legally off this page:Be welcome to use any photos of this page for no commercial use...Right click text in HTML window below... Select, copy and paste into your blog or web. Doing this no copy right offense will be taken. Mockery of the environment:P.S. End of May 2011, when I saw La Gorvorana last, I noticed that somebody decided to turn it into a monument of deplorable Spanish art. Part of the venerable old house is now covered with tasteless graffiti. Most vivid colors turn its entire facade by the park into one more mockery of an environmental issue.  Custom Search Please come forward and tell us about any other Tenerife environmental issue of a similar nature. Use the comments box below...
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Gabriele Muellenberg 
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