Castillo de la Luz

15th-century castle beside the Puerto de la Luz, home of the Martín Chirino Foundation and its permanent sculpture exhibition.

Opening hours Wheelchair accessible

Website Directions

About the museum

The Castillo de la Luz is the oldest fortification in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It was built in the La Isleta district, beside the port, over the original wooden fort that Captain Juan Rejón had erected at the start of the conquest of the island in 1478. Its mission was to protect the city from attacks by English and Dutch pirates, and for years it was the city's only defence. It was built on a reef and was cut off at high tide; urban growth and landfill have since left it on dry land.

The fortress has a square plan, three levels, corner towers, loopholes and a drawbridge, and is built of ashlar stone. Inside, a cistern survives, and in a half-arch of the entrance there is an image of the Virgen de la Luz. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1941.

After its rehabilitation for cultural use, since 2015 it has been the seat of the Fundación de Arte y Pensamiento Martín Chirino, dedicated to the Gran Canarian sculptor Martín Chirino (born 1925), winner of the National Prize for Plastic Arts. The foundation permanently displays some twenty-five works by the artist and organises exhibitions, debates and training activities around his work.

Highlights

15th-century fortress, the oldest in the city
Permanent exhibition of the Martín Chirino Foundation, with around 25 works by the sculptor
Free guided visits on Wednesdays
Building with a drawbridge, towers and a cistern

Permanent exhibition

Exposición permanente de la Fundación Martín Chirino – Exhibition on display since 2015 with some twenty-five works by the Gran Canarian sculptor Martín Chirino inside the castle.

Operated by: Fundación de Arte y Pensamiento Martín Chirino

Admission & discounts

Groups	–The guided visit for groups costs €25 per group; in addition, each person pays for their admission unless they have free access.
Guided visit for groups (per group)	€25By appointment; each participant's admission is paid separately.

Free admission: Free guided visits every Wednesday (except in August).

Certain groups have free access.

Accessibility

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

The building has a ramp and a lift, and portable chairs can be requested. The content of the guided visits is adapted to different abilities and cognitive needs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By public transit

Castillo de La Luz (parada n.º 31)

Guaguas Municipales: stop no. 31 “Castillo de La Luz” is in front of the building; lines 1, 2, 12, 24, 33 and 47 stop there.

The castle is in La Isleta, beside the Puerto de la Luz.

Get directions

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit

Guided tours	yes
Good to know	On Wednesdays, “Miércoles con la Fundación”: free guided visit at 16:00 in English and at 17:00 in Spanish, departing from in front of the ticket office. Group visits require an appointment (DEAC@fundacionmartinchirino.org, telephone 928 463 162). There is a virtual visit on the website.