Guanche Mencey Statues (Candelaria)

Before you go: they are not on the square right now. In July 2025 the nine figures were lifted from their plinths for the full refurbishment of the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, and the town council has committed to putting them back once the works are finished. No date has been announced. For the duration of the works the nine figures are being kept at the TITSA depot in Los Rodeos.

In front of the Basilica of Candelaria, on the seafront square, stood the bronze statues of the nine Guanche menceyes, the aboriginal kings who ruled Tenerife before the conquest. Created by the sculptor José Abad, they were unveiled in August 1993 and are one of the most photographed monumental groups on the island.

If you want to see menceyes today: the original volcanic stone sculptures from 1959, the work of Alfredo Reyes Darias, stand on the Rambla de los Menceyes, in Candelaria itself. One caveat, so we do not promise more than we know: in 2022 the town council had the restoration of these figures under study and stated that they had not yet been moved. We have not been able to check how far that plan has got, so one or another may not be in place when you go.