Santa Cruz de Tenerife Launches Interactive 'Mystery in the Temple' Experience at Masonic Site
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is launching an interactive, mystery-themed tour at the city’s historic Masonic Temple on September 18 and 19 to revitalize interest in the landmark through immersive storytelling.
Using immersive experiences to bring historical sites to life is becoming a key strategy for cultural revitalization in the Canary Islands. Recently, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council’s Autonomous Organization of Culture (OAC) announced a unique, interactive approach for the city’s Masonic Temple, moving beyond traditional tours to offer a more participatory experience.
The event, titled Mystery in the Temple, will take place on September 18 and 19 at 8:00 p.m. Led by historian Néstor Verona, the project blends historical facts with a fictional storyline, featuring performances by actors Antonio Conejo, Eduardo Feria, and Sigrid Ojel. Instead of simply watching, attendees will act as detectives, solving puzzles and deciphering clues during a 90-minute tour.
City officials, including Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez and Culture and Heritage head Santiago Díaz Mejías, view this as a way to diversify how protected properties are used. By combining education with gaming, they hope to attract people who might not usually attend traditional guided tours.
Space is limited to 40 people per session. To attend, you must pick up tickets in person at the temple one hour before the event begins. While this specific event is part of a one-off contract, the City Council hopes to repeat the format in the future. This initiative is part of a broader effort to breathe new life into one of Spain’s most iconic examples of Masonic architecture.