Santa Cruz Castle Center Explores History, Features Nelson's Cannon
Santa Cruz's San Cristóbal Castle Interpretation Center, located beneath Plaza de España, offers free admission to explore the city's historical defenses and view the "El Tigre" cannon, famously linked to Admiral Nelson's injury during the 1797 Battle of Tenerife.
The Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife (MHAT), part of the Cabildo's Autonomous Organization of Museums and Centers (OAMC), invites you to explore Santa Cruz's past. You can do this by visiting the San Cristóbal Castle Interpretation Center, found beneath Plaza de España. Here, you can see what's left of the city's old wall and learn about the defenses that once protected the island.
Inside the center, you'll find the remains of the castle wall and an underground passage that explains the fort's history. This covers everything from its construction around 1575 to its demolition in 1928. Above ground, in the plaza's lake, the original shape of the castle is marked out. This helps bring back the memory of the important building, which until recently was only recalled by the street named after it.
José Carlos Acha, the Island Councilor for Culture, Museums, and Sports, encourages everyone to visit. He says it's a great way "to enjoy culture and leisure, expand your knowledge, and reconnect with a key historical event that shaped Tenerife and the Canary Islands: the Battle of 1797." He adds that this "short and free tour links the past and present right in the city center. It's perfect for families and offers a fun, enriching way to learn about history."
A major highlight of the center is the famous bronze cannon, El Tigre. This 18th-century artillery piece, about three meters long and weighing 2,000 kilos, was brought from the Military Historical Museum of the Canary Islands. It marks the spot where it stood on the night of July 24, 1797, when it helped stop the British from taking Santa Cruz de Tenerife. According to popular belief, El Tigre was the cannon that wounded Admiral Horatio Nelson, causing him to lose his arm. Because of this, it has become a symbol of that victory and represents the bravery and resilience of the people of Tenerife.
The interpretation center is open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except on public holidays. The last entry is 15 minutes before closing. Admission is free. Visiting the center lets you experience a crucial moment in Tenerife's history while exploring one of Santa Cruz's most famous squares.
For more details, visit: https://www.museosdetenerife.org/mha-museo-de-historia-y-antropologia/museo/castillo-san-cristobal/