Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Freemasonry |
Rite |
|
Egyptian Revival | |
Founder | Añaza Lodge |
Completed | 1923 |
Website | |
templomasonicotenerife |
The Historic Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a
It is considered the finest example of Masonic Temple in Spain and [1] was the greatest Masonic Temple in Spain before Franco's military occupied the site.[2]
History of the Añaza Lodge
The Añaza
The Lodge was originally under the auspices of a second-order Spanish obedience, the Grande Oriente Ibérico, to which it remained united until 1902. The
In 1903, due to doubts about the true importance of the Grande Oriente Ibérico, they decided to change their auspices, becoming part of the renewed Grande Oriente Español with the number 270. The Añaza 270 Lodge lasted under this obedience until 1922. Between 1923 and 1931, during the Dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Añaza Lodge became part, with number 1, of the newly created Gran Logia de Canarias. In 1931, after a divergence of opinions, it was divided into two: the Añaza lodge No. 270, once again attached to the Gran Oriente Español, and the Añaza Lodge No. 1, with a smaller number of members who were expelled from the temple despite their claims. Añaza 270 remained in the Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on San Lucas Street and in the Gran Oriente Español until the military uprising of 1936, when it was dissolved and its assets confiscated by the rebels.
The building
The building contains strong symbolism, mostly inspired by the architectural tradition of ancient Egypt.
The façade is divided into three sections, the central has two huge columns with a plain shaft and palm-leaf capitals, supporting a bulky triangular pediment. In this eye there is a radiant ray, representing the Supreme Being, Great Architect of the Universe according to Masonic symbolism. Flanking each column are two sphinxes (four in total) lying on their stomachs and covered with a
The Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located at the same latitude (28º north) of the
Looting
On September 15, 1936, in the first decree against Freemasonry issued by General
Finally, in times of democracy, the State sold the building to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council in 2001 for more than 470,000 euros.
Restoration
After years of numerous vicissitudes, in November 2021 the mayor of the city, José Manuel Bermúdez, presented the project to remodel the property, together with the author of the project, María Nieves Febles. In September 2022, the works began, which, with a budget of more than 3 million euros, have an execution period of approximately two years.
The building it was listed as a Site of cultural interest by the Government of the Canary Islands in 2007.[5] In 2023 the building was declared a Monument to Historical Memory by the Government of the Canary Islands, that is, as a memorial to the victims persecuted by Franco's regime, Masons or not.[6]
Scottish Rite Masonic Congress 2016
In November 2016 the Masonic international congress Convent of the Order, was held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is an event held annually in different parts of the world[7] and was organized by the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for Spain. This conference helped raise funds for the rehabilitation of the Masonic Temple of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.[7]
The Congress was attended by over 300 members representing 17 of the 57 regular Supreme Councils in the world, emphasising the importance of the event for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite part of the global Masonic community.[7] During the meeting in the Masonic Temple the act to create the Confederación Iberoamericana de Supremos Consejos (Latin American Confederation of Supreme Councils) was signed.[8]
References
- ^ Masonería en Canarias. El Templo histórico de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- ^ El templo masónico, bien de interés cultural
- ^ La Flauta Mágica y la Masonería Española Archived 2016-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Segunda parte conferencia: Simbología masónica en la arquitectura canaria Archived 2016-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Declaración del Templo Masónico de Santa Cruz de Tenerife como Bien de Interés Cultural
- ^ El Templo Masónico es declarado Monumento a la Memoria Histórica
- ^ a b c Los masones eligen Santa Cruz para su congreso internacional del próximo año
- ^ Jesús Soriano: "Me emociona venir al templo de la Logia Añaza"