Casillas del Ángel marks 100 years since joining Puerto del Rosario and looks ahead to a museum celebrating its history

Casillas del Ángel is continuing to mark the centenary of its incorporation into Puerto de Cabras with the unveiling of a plaque at the former Town Hall, paying tribute to those who made the merger of the two municipalities possible in September 1926.

After unveiling the commemorative plaque, the mayor of Fuerteventura’s capital, David de Vera, stressed the importance of remembering those behind the decision, which ushered in a new administrative and territorial era.

The mayor said the plaque was “a tribute to all those men and women who, through their efforts and hard work, as well as political flexibility and dialogue, reached various agreements to form today’s Puerto del Rosario”.

De Vera also recalled the difficulties faced by previous generations and the “efforts, hardships and sacrifices” that contributed to the municipality’s development.

The mayor said the centenary celebrations offered an opportunity to recognise the role of the former municipality of Casillas del Ángel in the history of the capital. The programme has also included a full council meeting held in the village in September.

The Centenary Market has provided a day of community participation, including a re-enactment of the historic event by the theatre group linked to the Culture Department. The group performed the costumbrista play “100 Years: Days of Contrasting Weight”.

There will also be music from the La Sebada and Muelle Nuevo parrandas, followed by a concert by Taller Canario.

The former Town Hall will become a museum

At the event, Ángel Montañez, representing the Casillas del Ángel residents’ association, thanked the Town Council for helping to commemorate the area’s history and, in particular, for restoring the former Town Hall, which currently houses the library, as a future museum.

Culture Councillor Juan Manuel Verdugo confirmed that the project was well advanced and had funding for the first stages of work.

“We already have a budget allocation for refurbishing the room,” he explained, adding that the electrical installation and flooring would need to be upgraded.

He expects the work could be carried out over the next two or three months, with the museum space completed afterwards and potentially opening to the public between March and April 2027.

The aim is to recreate the former Town Hall, where council meetings were held, municipal records were kept, and the mayor and secretary shared an office. Verdugo recalled that the council at the time consisted of seven councillors and the mayor.

The councillor argued that restoring this heritage was important because “today’s Puerto del Rosario, modern Puerto del Rosario, cannot be understood without the incorporation of areas such as Casillas del Ángel”.

Residents want to bring the history to every village

Ángel Montañez, representing the residents of Casillas del Ángel, said the incorporation into Puerto de Cabras was a process that “was not without controversy and some conflict”.

Montañez noted that Casillas del Ángel had been a municipality with significant agricultural activity, producing cereals and barilla, and had its own landing place at Los Molinos.

The union brought together commercial interests around the port of Puerto de Cabras, particularly in an economy heavily shaped by rainfall and harvests.

He therefore gave a positive assessment of the 100 years since the former municipality became part of Puerto de Cabras.

“The assessment, 100 years on, is good so far,” he said, pointing to improvements in public services and provision. “I believe there is an important quality of life for residents in Casillas and in all the villages that belonged to the municipality,” he concluded.