Casa-Museo León y Castillo

About the museum

The Cabildo de Gran Canaria created this museum in Telde at the initiative of the family of the politician and diplomat Fernando de León y Castillo (1842–1918), to whom the memory of his brother, the engineer Juan de León y Castillo (1834–1912), was later added. In 1952 the institution acquired the brothers' birthplace, and the painter Santiago Santana drew up the restoration project, approved in 1953. The official opening took place on 18 July 1954, although the museum did not open permanently until early October of that year.

The family's furniture and objects had been deposited with the scientific society El Museo Canario, following a donation by the widow of the Marquis of Muni, and later passed to the Cabildo for safekeeping in the house museum. Juan de León y Castillo designed the Puerto de Refugio de La Luz (1883), a project also promoted through his brother Fernando's efforts in national politics.

The eight rooms of the permanent exhibition hold documents, photographs and plans of the Puerto de Refugio de La Luz, sketches by Juan de León y Castillo, autograph writings by figures from Spanish public life, Spanish painting from the 16th to the 20th century, furniture, prints, decorations, sculptures, costumes, weapons and porcelain. After an extension in 2006, the museum is part of the Cabildo's Museums Service and has a library, a newspaper archive and a documentation centre.

Highlights

• Charge of the Spanish Army in the Cuban War, by José Cusachs (1889)
• Portrait of Fernando León y Castillo, by Raimundo Madrazo (1905)
• View of the port of La Luz and the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, by Eliseo Meifrén (1889)
• Documents and plans of the Puerto de Refugio de La Luz
• Sculptures by Mariano Benlliure and Victorio Macho
• Library and historic newspaper archive

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente de la Casa-Museo León y Castillo – Eight rooms with documents, plans and sketches of the Puerto de Refugio de La Luz, Spanish painting from the 16th to the 20th century, and furniture and objects of the León y Castillo brothers.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Cabildo de Gran Canaria

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The route is adapted for people with physical disabilities, except for the connection between the two buildings on the upper floor. There are lifts, an accessible toilet, ramps with handrails for most level changes and a reserved parking space. Tactile routes and descriptive visits with braille texts, audio guides for blind or hard-of-hearing visitors and QR codes are offered.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Education and Cultural Action Department organises school visits, workshops and historical-artistic tours.

Getting there & parking

From Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, take the GC-1 dual carriageway or the C-812 road.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Lockers in the courtyard next to the entrance hall for storing backpacks, bags, drinks and food. Eating and drinking are only permitted in the main courtyard.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit