Visitors were meant to feel like giants. And the aim was to attract hundreds of thousands of them. At any rate, that was the plan of the operators of „PuebloChico“. In July 2002, they opened a park that depicted Tenerife in miniature.
PuebloChico was modelled on Madurodam in the Netherlands. The organisers began work in 1998 and chose a site for the project in La Orotava in the north of the largest of the Canary Islands. The park was accessed via the northern motorway, opposite the San Nicolás chapel. The site covered 20,000 square metres. The total investment amounted to six million euros.
PuebloChico presented itself as a miniature world featuring 60 strikingly similar models on a scale of 1:25. The meticulously detailed replicas depicted well-known buildings such as the Cathedral of La Laguna, La Orotava Town Hall, the Auditorio in Santa Cruz and the Castillo de Arrecife. Visitors were meant to feel „like giants“ as they strolled amongst the models. The site also featured extensive green spaces. And yet the concept failed to catch on.
PuebloChico: Tenerife in miniature
Moving vehicles, customised sound effects and numerous small figures created an authentic atmosphere. Guests could watch a jetfoil docking in the harbour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife or an Iberia aeroplane being prepared for take-off at Tenerife South Airport. The replica of the TF-5 motorway was one of the most popular attractions thanks to the large number of vehicles and the specially produced sound effects.
The tour of PuebloChico began with a spectacular replica of a volcanic cave dedicated to the culture of the indigenous people. At the end, the route led through a representation of the lunar landscape of Vilaflor.
Other themed areas included a garden featuring Canary Islands endemic plants, rural architecture, modern buildings such as the El Corte Inglés in Santa Cruz, and an overview of the Canary Islands‘ significant cultural heritage sites. There was also a restaurant, a shop, a juice bar and an events room.
PuebloChico as a short-term employer and source of hope
As part of the debate on greater diversification of tourism in Tenerife, the operators founded the company El Maquetal. It produced all the miniatures and decorative elements for PuebloChico. The company secured around 30 direct and indirect jobs. The models had to be designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions. Following extensive testing, the company succeeded in producing weather-resistant models.
The operators expected 175,000 visitors in the first year. Admission prices were eight euros for local adults and five euros for children. All other adults paid 11.50 euros and children six euros. The long-term target was 500,000 visitors a year. But then reality intervened.
In the early years, the attraction was mainly visited by school groups and clubs, and it proved very popular to begin with. Over time, however, the tourist attractions in the south of Tenerife proved to be too strong a competitor. After 13 years of operation, the project came to an end in 2015. And yet, even today, on the anniversary of its closure, many locals and visitors to Tenerife still remember their ‚Mini-Canary Islands‘.
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