The Marquisate of Tenerife: the history of General Weyler's title and its influence on the city

In Spain today, noble titles are more of a relic of the past. They don't grant any special rights, but simply exist as part of history and culture. They are inherited according to rules controlled by the Ministry of Justice.

Although these titles officially exist, many people in the Canary Islands are not even aware that there is a Marquisate of Tenerife, which appeared in the 19th century. All documents, letters of inheritance, and titleholders are clearly documented. The story of the first person to receive this title may surprise you.

The Marquisate of Tenerife was founded in 1887, when Queen Regent Maria Cristina ruled Spain. The title was given to General and politician Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau. However, he did not receive the title of Grandee of Spain along with it (this is a separate, very honorable title), which was given to him later, in 1920, making him Duke of Rubí.

Weyler was a very influential person in Spain at that time: a general who governed Cuba and the Philippines, a three-time Minister of War, and a senator.

From 1878 to 1883, he was the Captain General of the Canary Islands. During his rule, military bases and infrastructure were expanded in both island capitals. This further brought him closer to the local population.

That is probably why the crown decided to name the marquisate in his honor – Tenerife.

When Valeriano Weyler arrived in the Canary Islands in 1878, he saw that the military administration was still located in the Palacio Carta – a beautiful but outdated building that no longer met the needs of the time.

He immediately began lobbying in Madrid for the construction of a new, modern headquarters for Santa Cruz. And at the end of the same year, he received permission to build the Palace of the Captaincy General of the Canary Islands. Construction began on May 1, 1879.

The work progressed very quickly. After only 19 months, on December 31, 1880, the building was completed, and the military administration moved there. This not only solved the problem with the premises, but also established Santa Cruz as an important center in the Canary Islands and improved the appearance of the city.

At the same time, in another part of the islands, Weyler also helped organize the military administration in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, providing it with its own headquarters.

So, his stay in the Canary Islands left a noticeable mark. And in the case of Tenerife, the city (Santa Cruz) began to develop around the new military administration building.

Plaza Weyler appeared precisely because of this new center of power. In 1893, the city council decided to create a square in front of the Captaincy Palace, designed by engineer Vicente Armiño.

The square, about 3,600 m², was intended to be a meeting place, connected to Calle Castillo (the city's main shopping street) and the streets now called Méndez Núñez and 25 de Julio.

A few years later, the city authorities commissioned a neo-Renaissance-style fountain made of Carrara marble in Genoa, created by sculptor Achille Canessa.

The fountain was brought in during the time of Mayor Pedro Schwartz, installed in 1899, and opened, according to historical data, in 1901. So, when we walk through Plaza Weyler now, we see the result of the changes that took place thanks to Weyler's stay on the island.

Since its founding, the marquisate has been inherited, but few people knew about it. The first owner passed it on during his lifetime, as noble traditions allow the title to be passed on before death.

Then the title was received by Valeriano Weyler y Santacana, II Marquis (1923–1931). He held the title for a short time, and after his death, the marquisate seemed to "fall asleep."

It did not disappear, but existed only on paper until Fernando Weyler y López de Puga became the III Marquis (1953–1998). His name reappeared when the state began to put the noble lists of the 20th century in order. A royal letter of succession was issued, and the marquisate became active again.

A "royal letter" is a document that confirms that the title is being transferred legally: it confirms rights, establishes lineage, and restores the title to its place on the official list.

Since 1999, the title has been held by Fernando Weyler y Sarmiento, IV Marquis of Tenerife. For him, the title is, first of all, a memory and a symbol that connects the decision of the crown in 1887 with modernity. It does not give any material privileges, but reminds of a history that explains not only surnames, but also squares and buildings that are still part of the urban landscape.

And finally: a little over a month ago, a petition appeared requesting the establishment of twin city relations between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca. The initiators were three residents of the capital, one of whom was Weyler Sarmiento himself. In his petition, he referred to the historical ties between the two cities and, in particular, to the figure of his ancestor Valeriano Weyler y Nicolau.

The city council unanimously supported this idea, and the biography of General Weyler became one of the main arguments in favor of the twinning. Thus, the signature of the current Marquis not only supported the initiative, but also helped to restore and continue the historical connection of the Weyler family between Palma and Santa Cruz.