Ermita de San Miguel - La Laguna

San Miguel Arcángel is the patron saint of the island of Tenerife and of the town hall of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and his image is reflected in the coats of arms of both.

Together with other surrounding old buildings, it represents an exceptional testimony to the completely historic atmosphere that the square once offered thanks to its architectural harmony. Adelantado gave the order to build the family pantheon in 1506 . It was also the place where the first meetings of the Island Council took place, as evidenced by a plaque on the facade.

From a purely constructive point of view, the most valuable part of the chapel is concentrated on the main facade; the central part is occupied by a portico of considerable dimensions framed by a semicircular arch supported by carved stone pilasters. On the keystone of the arch there is a relief of a cross resting on a small plaque in the form of a pedestal on which is written the date of the chapel's reconstruction (1759) . Above the cross the facade curves slightly, but it clearly shows the layout of the gable roof. The top of the facade is emphasized by an anvil-shaped finial topped by a knob. At the corners, on the facade, are two graceful stone bell towers symmetrical to each other; they have the form of simple rectangular bodies - with the necessary openings for the bells - surmounted by a thin molding and surmounted by decorative elements very similar to the finish of the top.

The church's only nave is completely empty and lacks the typical main arch that distinguishes the main chapel and its roof from the rest of the church. However, the coffered ceiling of couple and knuckle that covers the entire chapel without interruption, stands out in all its splendor, precisely because of the absence of other decorative elements.

On the floor of the chapel are two small stairs that divide the nave into three sections on different levels, culminating in the presbytery. In the choir there is a niche in modern masonry that recalls the location of the ancient altarpiece depicting the titular saint.

Willem Vandenameele