21-12-12

As it is Sunday (or for whatever reason), I decide to take another ‘rest’ day, that I spend with city walking and architecture nerding.

So after a late morning and breakfast, I set out to explore Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

There is two architectural highlights (that I know about) here:

Firstly TEA, Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, a modern art / library / etc. space designed by Herzog&DeMeuron, from 2008.

And secondly the Auditorio (Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín), by Santiago Calatrava from 2003.

Nice and simple detailing, and shapes like noone else does them.

Just from the model in the lobby, the inside also looks stunning – I will go back tomorrow morning, and see if there is guided tours for the inside available (as the internet promised; but Sundays all is closed).

Then I just continue to stroll around randomly, and discover things.

Like for example this huge oil and gast harbour / storage facility, where they’ve decided to paint it super colourful. From far I thought this was a fairground or something.

Another thing I stumble across is the open air bath / aquatic centre ‘Parque Marítimo César Manrique’ next to the sea – obviously by César Manrique – from 1995. If it wasn’t a bit cool today and if had I brought a towel, I would have considered spending a couple of hours there!

I also walk past the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congreso de Tenerife, from 1996. A bit messy and run down, and currently used as vaccination centre. But also by Santiago Calatrava!

Then I get back into the old town – nothing too special though – but some really nice and lush parks.

And I find this in a shopping centre – a bit premature birth…

After some late lunch I go back to my flat for some chilling, clothes washing and planning of next week.

Acording to my phone I raked up 13km today. Nothing like city walking when H. is pulling… but still 😉

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