Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the largest city of Gran Canaria and the entire Canary archipelago. It is located in the eastern part of the northern coast of the island. The city was founded by the Spaniards in 1478. Christopher Columbus stopped here 15 years later on his first voyage. Today Las Palmas is a bustling cosmopolitan town. The city is full of hotels, stores and restaurants. It is center of nightlife on the island.

The main attractions are located in Vegeta historic quarter, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the large number of buildings from the colonial era that have been preserved there. In addition to historical sites, Vegeta is the main street of expensive restaurants and bars.

Museum of the Canary Islands

The Museum of the Canary Islands (El Museo Canario) is one of the main tourist attractions in Las Palmas - the capital of Gran Canaria. It is located in the La Vegeta near Plaza Santa Ana.

The museum was founded in 1879 on the initiative of a small group of local intellectuals. Today, it is a great asset to the entire archipelago as it keeps the largest collection of artifacts of the ancient Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of Canary Islands. Some artefacts in the collection date back to 500 B.C., while others date to the Spanish conquest of the archipelago and subsequent centuries.

In the Museum of the Canary Islands you can discover the history and culture of Gran Canaria. The head and owner of the museum was Dr. Gregorio Chil y Naranjo, who wished to preserve and study the archaeological and documentary heritage of his ancestors and to make it known to the general public. He bequeathed the museum building and all scientific documents to the private foundation that now operates the museum.

The Canary Islands Museum's collections are displayed in 11 rooms, where visitors can see a wide variety of artifacts, including figurines of ancient Guanches deities, antique jewelry, examples of indigenous pottery, ancient tools, mummies and even skeletons. All exhibits demonstrate the way of life of the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands.

The highlight of the museum are the reconstructions of ancient Guanches cave dwellings in real size and a replica of the Cueva Pintada cave where were discovered ancient cave paintings. In addition, the Museum of the Canary Islands has an extensive library and archive dedicated to the history of Gran Canaria and its Aboriginal people.

Castle La Luz

Castle La Luz (Castillo de la Luz) in the capital of Gran Canaria is one of the most important monuments of architecture of Las Palmas and the oldest castle on the island.

 

The castle was built in 1494 by Captain Juan Rejon, who took part in the Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands. It stands on the spot where in the early 15th century the Spanish fleet that first arrived in the Canary Islands landed. Later, the castle was used as a fortress for protection against Dutch and English pirates, as a plague hut, as a temporary field hospital, as an inn and even as a lighthouse.

It once stood on a rock that was surrounded on all sides by the sea at high tide, but gradually, as the city developed, the land around the castle was drained and built up with houses. For many years La Luz Castle remained the only one fortification of Las Palmas until other forts were built on the coast in the 16th century. Until the 19th century it retained defensive function.

The castle is an imposing square structure with three levels, round turrets with loopholes and a platform for 11 cannons. Time has left its marks on its strong walls, which were repeatedly bombed by the pirates who plundered and burned Las Palmas in the 16th and 17th centuries.

For a long time the castle was in a dilapidated condition, although in 1941 it was declared a national historical monument. In the 1960s, La Luz was partially restored and became an exhibition gallery.

In 1998 in the castle was opened a cultural space and organized a permanent exhibition dedicated to the outstanding Canarian sculptor Martin Chirino. In the exposition of the gallery there are 25 works of Chirino.

Columbus House

Columbus House (Casa de Colon) in Las Palmas is one of the most famous buildings in the city, attracting attention with its exquisitely decorated doors, beautiful lattice balconies, large patio and carved wooden vaults.

This house was the residence of the first rulers of the island of Gran Canaria. It is said that Christopher Columbus stayed here in 1492 while repairing one of his ships during his expedition to the New World. Since then the building got its name - Casa de Colón.

In 1777, the house was remodeled. There is a museum with 13 permanent exhibitions, a library, and a research center in the house since 1952. Seminars, lectures and exhibitions are also held here. The museum's expositions include pre-Columbian artefacts, models of ships, a copy of La Niña cabin, one of Columbus' ships, navigation instruments, maps, paintings of the 16th-19th centuries and other items related to the voyage of the great explorer and the history of the Canary Islands and their relationship with the Americas.

The museum is divided into several sections. One of them is dedicated to the settlement of the New World and the aboriginal cultures of pre-Columbian America. The second section tells the story of Columbus' expedition, during which America was discovered. And the third section introduces with facts about his stay in the Canary Islands. A separate exhibition of the museum is devoted to the history of Las Palmas.

Until the middle of the 20th century, the Casa de Colon was a family estate. Interesting fact: the famous Canarian opera singer Alfredo Kraus was born in this house and the concert hall in Las Palmas is named after him. And young visitors to the museum will be interested in meeting the two parrots that live in the courtyard. Parrots are incredibly chatty.

Next to the Casa de Colón is the paved Calle de los Balcones leading to the Plaza del Pilar.  It is framed by 18th century houses, where the Atlantic Center for Contemporary Art is located.

Santa Ana Cathedral

The Santa Ana Cathedral (Santa Iglesia Catedral Basilica de Canarias) is the main church of Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. It is located in the district of Vegueta near Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana. The church is one of the most important religious buildings in the Canary Islands.

The present building of Santa Ana Cathedral was built in the 16th century on the initiative of Bishop Diego de Muros and designed by the architect Don Diego Montaude, although another architect, Juan de Palacio, was also actively involved in its construction. The first masses began in the church in 1570. In the 18th century, the cathedral was rebuilt and redecorated. Until 1819 it was one cathedral in the Canary Islands.

The building of Santa Ana Cathedral was designed in the Gothic style. The present structure consists of a nave with double side aisles, pseudo-transepts and an altar. There are chapels in the aisles. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with columns with spectacular stucco and imitations of palm trees, pointed Gothic arches, various ornaments and statues.

The western facade is notable for its Corinthian vaulted gallery and is framed by two belfries in the Italian Romanesque style. By the way, the bell towers are similar to those seen in the village of Theror in an ancient Romanesque tower of the same period. Probably the same architect worked on them. Note the very pretty rose-window in the west gable of the nave.

In one of the chapels in the side aisle of the cathedral you can see a giant image of St. Christopher. This is a mandatory component of many Spanish churches. There is also a door that leads to a lovely Moorish-style wooden cloister, similar to a domestic patio.

The sacristy has a wonderful stone floor. Locals refer to it as an example of architectural genius. Finally, at the north side of the altar stands a giant Easter candle, reaching 4.6 meters in height.

Museum of Science and Technology

The Museum of Science and Technology (Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnologia), is located on the edge of Santa Catalina Park. It offers visitors more than 20 exhibition areas devoted to the reconstruction and reproduction of the greatest achievements of humanity in science. The museum itself is an interactive science learning area where - "No touching allowed". The museum exhibits will be of interest to both adults and children, for whom special entertainment zones are equipped. 

The museum is located in a building of more than 7,000 square meters, most part of which is used as an exhibition space. The exhibits range from an F-5 military plane and various mammal skeletons to a replica of a space station and a large greenhouse where a real ecosystem is reproduced. For additional fee, you can visit the 3D movie theater, which shows popular science films, and visit the only museum in Spain located in a building of more than 7 thousand square meters, most of which is used as an exhibition space. Exhibits ranging from an F-5 military plane and various mammal skeletons to a replica of a space station and a large greenhouse which replicates a real ecosystem, are all on display. For a fee, you can visit the 3D movie theater that shows popular science films, the only RoboCoaster attraction in Spain, and the Planetarium. 

Special mention should be made of the museum's founder, Alexander Elder, brother of the famous Glasgow shipbuilder John Elder. In the 19th century, the ships that he built were transporting bananas from Gran Canaria to Great Britain. Elder's company was located in the museum building, which was built in the same 19th century.

Another name associated with the museum and the Canaries is Augustin de Betancourt, the celebrated 18th-century engineer and direct descendant of the legendary Jean de Betancourt, the Norman conqueror who was declared ruler of the Canary archipelago in the 15th century. The life and activities of Betancourt the Younger are devoted to a separate hall of the museum. Interestingly, he spent many years of his life in Russia, shaping the face of the "newborn" St. Petersburg.

The open-air museum "Canary Village"

The open-air museum "Canary Village" (Pueblo Canario) is an interesting attraction in Las Palmas. The museum complex is located in the beautiful urban park of Doramas, surrounded by gardens and palm alleys and is a collection of traditional Canarian houses with gates, turrets and an atrium.

The Pueblo Canario was designed in the 1930s by the talented brothers Nestor and Miguel Fernandez de la Torre as a tourist destination. Their goal was to interest tourists in the indigenous culture of the islands and to introduce them to the history of these places.

In the center of the museum complex is a large square surrounded by souvenir shops with the products of local craftsmen. In the square itself there are often concerts of Canarian music and folk dances. Several restaurants are offering to visitors traditional Canarian cuisine.

An integral part of the Pueblo Canario is the Nestor Museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the most famous of the brothers, a prominent representative of the modernist movement and one of the main Spanish symbolist artists.

The museum was opened in 1956. It offers visitors the most famous works of Nestor, his projects and sketches. The main value of the museum is the painting "Poema del Mar", consisting of eight murals.

Today, the Canary Village open-air museum complex is a favorite destination for residents and guests of Las Palmas. Here you can see the pretty Canarian houses with their traditional wooden balconies, often decorated with intricate carvings.

All of them are concentrated around the main square, which also displays examples of Moorish architecture. From Pueblo Canario, you can take a walk to the interesting urban area of Ciudad Jardin, founded by British immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century.

Atlantic Center of Modern Art

Atlantic Center of Modern Art (Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno), known by the acronym CAAM, is one of the famous museums of Gran Canaria, located in its capital Las Palmas.

The museum has a rich collection of works by Canarian artists of the 1930s and 1940s related to the school of Lujan Perez. In general, the center is dedicated to the creative process of the 20th century, focusing on the historical avant-garde and modern art-manifestations. The so-called "tricontinentalism" - a dialogue between Europe, Africa and America - allows visitors to see works of art from Africa and Latin America.

CAAM opened in 1989 and immediately announced itself as a creative meeting place for artists and a modern art museum for the dissemination of creative ideas in the community. Since then, exhibitions, workshops, various courses and thematic meetings dedicated to Atlantic cultures are organized here every year.

The center is located on Los Balcones Street in the historic quarter of Vegueta and occupies a mansion of almost one thousand square meters. The two-story building with an attic and the main facade from the 18th century is well integrated into the historical landscape of Las Palmas. Inside there are three exhibition halls, a library with an information center, offices, an art repository, as well as a restaurant, a cafe and a store.

In addition to the three exhibition halls intended to house small-format works of art, such as photographs or design projects, there is also an annex suitable for larger forms. It is called San Antonio Abad and was opened in 1999. Most of the exhibitions held here are devoted to the works of Canarian artists.

Among the most popular exhibitions organized by the Atlantic Center for Contemporary Art are "Surrealism Between the Old and the New World," "Contemporary Russian Art," "Africa Today," "Natural History", "Voices from Across the Ocean," "Cuba. 20th Century", "Light and Shadow in Las Palmas," "Mesoamerica," etc.

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art

Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art (Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro) is located in the southern part of the Cathedral of Saint Anna in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The halls in which the collection of the museum was installed were built in the seventeenth century. The museum first opened its doors to the general public on December 20, 1984. The entrance to the Museum of Sacred Art is located on the side facade of the cathedral, but from the exhibition halls you can enter directly into the Cathedral through a Renaissance door.

The diocesan museum is small and consists of only a few rooms, but the treasures collected here would do honor to any world museum. The most interesting is the Silk Room, decorated with volcanic stone and pine wood.

One of the chapels of the museum, the Chapel de los Dolores, can be seen through the round window of this room. In this hall are small sacred images, many of which have been kept carefully by local families for centuries. Here you can see ancient images of saints carved on small plaques, as well as baroque pictures from the 18th and 19th centuries.

In the hall opposite the capitular hall are some portraits of the bishops of the Canary Islands diocese by famous Canarian artists, such as Luis de la Cruz and Manuel Ponce de Leon.

Among these paintings can be seen a portrait of one of the leading architects of St. Anne's Cathedral, Diego Nicolas Eduardo. This master was one who designed the oval hall of the capitulum - next exhibition hall of the museum.

Crucifixes and liturgical objects from the 16th century are displayed here. Especially notable is the image of Christ made by local sculptor Jose Lujan Perez in 1793.

Ciudad Jardin District

Ciudad Jardin is a luxurious district of Las Palmas. It was founded in the early 20th century by British immigrants, who dominated the city's economy at that time.

Today it is a thriving residential area and a real green oasis in the center of the big city. Here you can find many foreign embassies and simply beautiful houses of different architectural styles with small gardens and squares.

The main attraction of Ciudad Jardin is the Doramas Landscape Park with its water features, waterfalls, statues and municipal swimming pool. The park was named after one of the Gaunchi kings, the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands. Doramas offered fierce resistance to the Spaniards, for which he was immortalized by descendants.

To commemorate his resistance, there is a monument in the park depicting several aborigines who chose to jump off a cliff rather than be captured. Among the lush tropical vegetation of the park is the Hotel Santa Catalina, built in the late 19th century, where many celebrities and members of European aristocratic families have stayed.

In the park there is the Canary Village described above

Nestor Museum

Nestor Museum (Museo Nestor) is one of the attractions of Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. The museum is located in the Pueblo Canario, a traditional Canarian village built in the city park of Doramas.

The 10 rooms of the museum contain works by the talented artist and architect Nestor Martin Fernandez de la Torre (1887-1938), who was a prominent representative of the European Symbolist and Modernist movements. Nestor studied ethnography and was interested in architecture. He also tried to preserve and find a new expression for the aboriginal traditions of his homeland. His legacy is an integral part of the culture of the Canary Islands.

The Nestor Museum was opened to the public in 1956. Today within its walls you can see the master's major works, including portraits, landscapes, handiwork, sketches, architectural projects, etc.

The main treasure of the Nestor Museum is the most famous series of paintings by the artist - "Poema del Mar" and "Poema de la Tierra". Especially attracts tourists the Poema del Mar, a series of works depicting monster fish eating naked people during a storm.

Nestor de la Torre and his brother Miguel were the authors and creators of the Pueblo Canario. This Neo-Canarian-style complex also includes restaurants and shops where you can buy traditional Canarian souvenirs.

The entire complex was conceived by Nestor as an art showplace and tourist attraction. Today Pueblo Canario is recognized as one of Nestor's major works, despite the fact that it was completed after the death of the artist by his brother, Miguel de la Torre.