The use of volcanic stone in the architectural heritage of the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Resumen

The volcanic origin of the Canary Islands has given the islands a great lithological diversity. Thehistorical use that has been given to this type of material has been determined by its specific characteristics:hardness, cohesion, compactness, softness, textural heterogeneity, colour, etc. These volcanic materials, thanksto their intrinsic characteristics, give the architectural heritage of the islands a unique and differentiatedcharacter compared to the rest of Spain. Some of the most unique historical works on the island of Tenerife arehighlighted (most of them have been declared of Cultural Interest) according to the lithology of the stone materialused and the quarries from which these materials were retrieved. Nowadays, these quarries have been eitherabandoned or their extraction is restricted or prohibited. Knowing the origin of the stone used and its pathologiesis of vital importance for the correct conservation and restoration of the heritage, as it allows, among otherthings, the replacement of a material that is compatible in behaviour with the deteriorated elements.