Property of Cultural Interest, with the category of Historic-Artistic Monument, 1985.
This church stands on the edge of the Plaza de Los Condes de Santa María de Abona and is one of the main architectural elements of the historic centre of Villa de Arico and its municipality, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest with the category of Historic-Artistic Monument in 1985.
The origin of the first hermitage dates back to 1602, belonging to the parish and administrative jurisdiction of San Pedro de Chasna in Vilaflor until 1639, when the curato de San Juan Bautista (from the Barranco de El Río to the east) was erected. For a long time, it was the administrative centre, until the new parishes of El Río, Arico Nuevo and Fasnia were separated from it, in accordance with the gradual growth of the population of these lands.
The construction of the church as we know it today was delayed through different stages that extended its structure (18th century). In addition, the work that helped to raise its tower, topped by a lobed dome with Byzantine features, continued until the 19th century, when the construction of the parish house, attached to one side of the church, must also have been completed.
Inside is the valuable Castilian Gothic carving of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Abona or Virgen del Mar, Honorary and Perpetual Mayoress of Arico, and Patron Saint of the South of Tenerife, found on the seashore on the beach of La Punta around 1722 and installed here since 1761. In her left arm she holds the Child, who seems to be clinging to his mother’s neck, while the latter, in her right hand, carries a staff of lilies, a symbol of purity.
Other important artistic and historical elements also include:
Carving of the Cristo de la Misericordia (17th century).
Carving of San Juan Bautista (17th century, Patron Saint of the Municipality).
Carving of the Virgen del Carmen (Cádiz origin, 1767).
Mudejar style coffered ceiling (Master carpenter from Candelaria, Juan Perera, 18th century).
Baroque style altarpieces (peninsular characteristics)
Stonemasonry pieces carved in chasnera stone (Master Juan de Armas, 18th century).
