Museo Arqueológico de Puerto de la Cruz

About the museum

The museum's history begins in the 1950s with the Instituto de Estudios Hispánicos de Canarias, which created the Sala de Arqueología Canaria “Luis Diego Cuscoy”. Its holdings came from donations of archaeological collections of the Tenerife aboriginal culture, and the room closed permanently in 1958.

In 1980, after a petition with up to 3,000 signatures from a citizens' group calling for a new museum, Puerto de la Cruz City Council bought and restored a traditional Canarian house dating from the 18th and 19th centuries in the fishing district of La Ranilla, and recovered the holdings of the former room through donation. The current museum opened in 1991. The building, of about 1,000 m², has two floors around a central courtyard: the ground floor is devoted to exhibition, and the upper floor to administration, a laboratory and storage.

The collection brings together about 2,600 records of Guanche culture, largely donated, and is distinguished by its pottery, with more than a thousand vessels (gánigos), the most significant display of Guanche pottery on the island. The permanent exhibition focuses on this pottery: its manufacture, domestic use, amphorae and objects with magical symbolism. Among the best-known pieces are “el joyerito”, two limpet shells enclosing small beads, and the idol of Guatimac, the museum's symbol.

Besides the permanent exhibition, the museum organises temporary exhibitions, guided tours and educational, cultural and social programmes, and holds the Luis Diego Cuscoy documentary archive.

Highlights

• More than a thousand Guanche vessels (gánigos)
• “El joyerito”, two limpet shells with beads
• Idol of Guatimac, symbol of the museum
• Canarian house of the 18th and 19th centuries in La Ranilla
• Luis Diego Cuscoy documentary archive

Permanent exhibition

• Exposición permanente: la cerámica guanche – Display of Guanche pottery: its manufacture, domestic use, amphorae and objects with magical symbolism.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Ayuntamiento de Puerto de la Cruz

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

Museum facilities: toilets, guided tours and the Luis Diego Cuscoy documentary archive.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit