"As a resident of the town of Teguise, I must say that I infinitely admire all the things that are done in favor of our municipality, and if those proposals are related to our customs and traditions, I approve and applaud. But what I cannot understand is that a gentleman, named Benito Cabrera, known for his art with the timple, intends to desecrate one of our most emblematic buildings in the Town of
Teguise, the Spínola Palace.
This architecture is located in front of the Plaza de San Miguel (better known as the Plaza de los Leones) and was built by Don José Feo Peraza between 1730 and 1780. Apparently, its decoration was advised by the deceased artist from Lanzarote, César Manrique, who probably would not allow what Mr. Don Benito Cabrera wants to carry out, who fights for the continuity of our customs through his timple.
The paradox of this story is that this gentleman, knowledgeable about Canarian history and also, I would say, from Lanzarote, seeks to evict the Spínola Palace to install the House of the Timple, ignoring the recommendations on what this may mean in our town, island and the Canarian archipelago.
In the town and municipality there are numerous houses and places where this project can be carried out, which I consider positive for Teguise (cradle of the timple) and for the island. What cannot be is that a gentleman arrives in our town and puts all the history and memories of this architectural monument and its neighbors on the street. Can't the facilities of the Spínola Palace be adapted without having to vacate all its belongings? Are there no other viable alternatives to build the House of the Timple? Don't we, the residents of Teguise, those of us who have lived and admired its facade for many years, have the right to say something about it?
When I was little I used to sit on its stone chaplones, and I would like to be able to do it with my grandchildren and tell them stories about this place while we walk through its rooms. I have always been excited when the palace opened its windows to see Our Lady of Carmen pass by on July 16, and what do you say when the dining room table was set with its impeccable dishes, glasses and cutlery...
That place has a lot of history for the/as trumpeters, thousands of people have walked through its rooms, many others have decided to spend one of the most important days of their lives between its walls when they have decided to consecrate themselves in marriage, many of us have boasted of its beauty with friends, family or acquaintances... Now what we are going to have is the memory of what it was, because no one has asked us if we want this massacre to be done with the Spínola Palace of Teguise...
The Lions of the Plaza de San Miguel, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and its Tower, as well as the thousands of residents of Teguise weep for the farewell of the Spínola Palace".
