Centro de Interpretación «Castillo de San Cristóbal»

About the museum

In June 2006, during the remodelling works on Plaza de España in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, according to a design by the architects Herzog & de Meuron, remains of the San Cristóbal castle, the island's main defensive stronghold, came to light. The castle had been built around 1575 and was demolished in 1928. Given the importance of the find, it was decided to protect it and to incorporate into the new design of the square an underground gallery to make it visitable; the centre opened on 24 July 2008.

The exhibition project was developed by the Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, to which the centre is attached, and it is managed by the Organismo Autónomo de Museos y Centros of the Cabildo de Tenerife. The route explains the island's defensive system, with the castles of Santa Cruz and those of other places such as Puerto de la Cruz and Garachico, briefly reviews the history of the city and ends with the history of the San Cristóbal castle itself. The outline of its ground plan has been marked in the square's pond.

Since 25 July 2009 the bronze cannon El Tigre has also been on display, an 18th-century artillery piece cast in Seville, about 3 m long and weighing 2,000 kg. Popular tradition attributes to it the wounding of the British admiral Horatio Nelson during the attack on Santa Cruz in 1797, although this cannot be proven historically.

Highlights

• Remains of the walls of the San Cristóbal castle
• Bronze cannon El Tigre, 18th century
• Route through Tenerife's defensive system
• History of the castle, from 1575 to its demolition in 1928
• Outline of the castle's ground plan marked in the square's pond

Permanent exhibition

• Centro de Interpretación «Castillo de San Cristóbal» – Underground gallery with the remains of the castle, Tenerife's defensive system, the history of the fortress and the cannon El Tigre.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Organismo Autónomo de Museos y Centros del Cabildo de Tenerife (Museos de Tenerife)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The centre is beneath Plaza de España, in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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