Church of Santa Ana (Garachico)

In 1520, Cristobal de Ponte, the founder of Garachico, ceded a plot to construct the church. The dedication of the church to Saint Anne was inspired by his wife, Ana de Vergara.^[2][1] Construction of the chancel had started by 1532, and had been completed by 1542.^[3]

The Eruption of Trevejo (1706) severely affected the church, after which it was rebuilt^[2] between 1714 and 1721,^[1] with new walls and roofs,^[4] following the original plans.^[5]

The church was restored in the 1990s.^[1] Three of its sculptures were restored in 2010.^[4] Work to restore the tower started in 2014, and included the repair of the wooden structure, the external stonework,^[6] the coatings and finishes, as well as the replacement of the electrical cabling and pavement, costing €253,000. It re-opened in 2016, after which it hosted several exhibitions.^[7]

It was registered as a monument of cultural interest by the Cabildo de Tenerife in 2010, and is part of a group listing (conjunto historico) of properties of cultural interest in Garachico.^[7]

The facade combines elements from Plateresque and Renaissance architecture. The interior is divided into three parts, with a series of arches and columns. (In Spanish one says there are three naves; in English a nave and two side-aisles). There are a number of different altars,^[1] some of which are Baroque,^[5] as well as sculptures and paintings.^[1]

The church houses an image of Christ of Mercy from Mexico,^[2] made using the marrow of corn,^[5] and a baptismal font made of marble in the 17th century.^[2]

It also houses a museum of sacred art.^[3]