Santa Cruz de Tenerife is gearing up to celebrate the commemoration of the 25th of July this weekend, marking the 226th anniversary of one of the municipality‘s most significant historical events, closely linked to its foundation.
This year, the re-enactment of these events will span three days, with all commemorative activities organized by the municipal authorities, the Tertulia Amigos del 25 de Julio, and the Asociación Histórico-Cultural 25 de Julio de 1797. The decision to postpone the usual July celebrations to September was made due to their coinciding with general elections.
The festivities will kick off on the first day with the opening ceremony of the camp in the Plaza del Duque de Santa Elena at 19:00. Later, at 21:00, the re-enactment of the English troops’ landing will take place in the vicinity of the Black Castle.
On the following day, the focus of the re-enactment activities will shift to the Plaza del Duque de Santa Elena. Starting at 10:30 AM, the camp will open, featuring the raising of the flags of the involved forces. Various exercises and troop movements are scheduled throughout the day until 18:00, with the camp open to the public. At 12:00 noon, the Paso Alto Castle will serve as the venue for the flag-raising ceremony of Charles III, as it has done in previous years.
One of the highlights of the commemoration is the re-enactment of the landing where Admiral Nelson was wounded and the intense street fighting that unfolded between the English and the troops under General Gutiérrez’s command in the historic city center.
This dramatic event is set to commence on Saturday at 20:30 in the Plaza de España and the Santos ravine. Then, on Sunday at 12:00 noon, the signing of the British Capitulation and the re-embarkation of the British troops will be portrayed in La Candelaria squares, near the Palacio de Carta, and in the Plaza de España.
