San Cristóbal de La Laguna Transforms Historic Cemetery into Open-Air Museum

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is changing how it manages its historical sites by transforming the San Juan Cemetery into a center for public education. Founded in 1814 and recognized as a Property of Cultural Interest since 2000, the cemetery is moving away from being seen solely as a place for mourning.

With the help of the consultancy firm Cultania, the City Council is turning the cemetery into an open-air museum. New interpretive signs, including a central display and various information pillars, will help visitors understand the neoclassical architecture, family crests, and inscriptions found on the tombs of influential Canary Island families from the last two centuries.

The project also includes a new schedule of free guided tours starting this September. These tours will begin at the Church of San Juan Bautista to provide historical context. For those who prefer to explore on their own, a new guide—available in both print and digital formats—offers three themed routes through the site.

The Department of Cemeteries, led by Cristina Ledesma, is also bringing the site into local classrooms. Starting late this year, 4th-year secondary school students will take part in workshops that connect the cemetery’s history to their social science curriculum. By treating the cemetery as an "open-air archive," the city hopes to help younger generations better understand the social and cultural history of Tenerife.