Santa Cruz Museum of Illusions to Relocate to Costa Adeje

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is set to lose a popular cultural attraction as the Museum of Illusions prepares to relocate. According to Diario de Avisos, the museum, which opened in August 2024, will close its doors in the city center this May and move to Costa Adeje.

This move concludes two years of operations at the corner of El Pilar and Suárez Guerra streets. The 700-square-meter space, which blended science with interactive exhibits, was housed on the ground floor of the historic former La Lucha tobacco factory. During its time there, the museum’s promoters restored several original architectural features, including flooring and ornamental details that had been hidden since the building’s time as a Galerías Preciados department store.

The museum’s departure highlights the challenges of maintaining cultural spaces within the city’s historic buildings. Designed by architect Domingo Pisaca and opened in 1928, the building is a significant piece of Tenerife’s industrial heritage. It features an eclectic design, including an office with intricate arabesque decorations and a French-style facade. Beyond its appearance, the building is a landmark in the city’s history; it was once a major tobacco factory capable of producing 80,000 cigarettes per hour and earned international acclaim at the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.

The building is currently under review by municipal planners and is included in the city’s Catalog of Protection of Cultural Assets. This status has triggered a two-year suspension on any building permits or renovations while the City Council determines the final level of protection for this and other former tobacco industry sites. While the museum was a private venture, its exit leaves a gap in the city center, where it had served as a popular destination for both tourists and locals.