It is not usual for a friend to invite us to go to a museum. I don’t mean to say there aren’t any exceptions, but it usually is a boring plan for most people: visiting a building to see paintings or static things with no grace. If you’re one of those people thinking in such a way, it’s because you haven’t learnt how to look or haven’t found the correct way of looking. In Tenerife there are many truly interesting.
Which is why we’re going to give you a selection of 7 different museums of the island.
Science and the Cosmos
Would you like to visit a place where you learn by playing and is ideal for children? The Museum of Science and the Cosmos is a mix between a traditional museum and a theme park, very easily identified by its big radio telescopic antenna. Not only does it show scientific investigations, it also informs about science based on interactivity and games.
In the museum there is a big planetarium where movies are shown and workshops are been given. It is the perfect place in La Laguna for a family excursion due to its space that fits all ages, where children can learn and play.
INFORMATION: Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00/ Sunday, Monday and bank holidays from 10:00 to 17:00/ General entrance: 5 euros + 1 euro (Planetarium)/ Friday and Saturday from 16:00 to 20:00: free/ Location: San Cristóbal de La Laguna/ In front of the tram stop “Museo de la Ciencia”.
Casa Lercaro, hearquarters of the Museum of History and Antropology
The Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife has various headquarters, but possibly one of the most interesting ones is that of La Casa Lercaro, and not only for its historical material. Don’t misunderstand us. But there actually is an interesting story hidden behind this house, since they call it “The Enchanted Mansion”!
The headquarter house of the museum belonged to a group of Genoese that arrived at the island after the conquest. When their daughter Catalina Lercaro got older, they made her marry an older man out of convenience. Since she was not attracted to him she decided to commit suicide the day of the wedding by throwing herself in the well that can be found at the courtyard of the museum. Ever since, many people have claimed to see a ghost at the museum. Also her parents ended up moving to La Orotava.
But we don’t want to scare you! These are mere legends. The museum of La Laguna has also many interesting things about the history, culture and society of Tenerife. The building stands out for its big wooden balconies, which is the traditional canarian ones.
INFORMATION: Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00/ Sunday, Monday and bank holidays from 10:00 to 17:00/ General entrance: 5 euros/ Friday and Saturday from 16:00 to 20:00: free/ Location: San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
Casa del Vino de Tenerife
Vine was one of the most important exported goods of the Canaries. And how was there not to be a Vine and Wine Museum in Tenerife? Of course there is one, that of Casa del Vino, in El Sauzal. It is located in an old canarian ranch dedicated to the promotion of the island’s quality wine.
At the museum you’ll be able to learn about the history of Tenerife’s wines, try out the best ones from the restaurant and bar or make the most of the tasting room. But you can also take advantage of your visit to go to the visitors’ center, Casa de la Miel, where you’ll learn about the history of honey, or even visit the vineyard garden and native plants. Enjoy and taste the greatest wines of the island, but be careful not to get too drunk!
INFORMATION: Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00. Location: El Sauzal.
Museum of Nature and Archeology
The canarian wealth is undoubted, which is why a museum dedicated to nature and archeology could not be missed. This is why the Museum of Nature and Archeology (MUNA) was built and later declared as Good of Cultural Interest for Spain. But what’s most interesting is where it can actually be found. Which is at the Old Civil Hospital of our Lady of the Forsaken in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Inside this big museum you’ll find questions about archaeology and natural science, along with various samples and screens designed for families to enjoy. A very interesting fact is that the museum has the largest existing collection of Guanche culture (original inhabitants of the Canary Islands), and an impressive system of conservation and exhibition of mummified human remainders. Guanche skulls, pots, stones with Punic-Berber inscriptions and many more.
INFORMATION: Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00/ Sunday, Monday and bank holidays from 10:00 to 17:00/ General entrance: 5 euros/ Friday and Saturday from 16:00 to 20:00: free/ Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In front of the tram stop “Fundación”.
Municipal Museum of Fine Arts
Art lovers have a place where they can hide for a few hours too! The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts has 14 rooms with works of art originated between the XVI and XX century. The place cannot go unnoticed since its exterior is decorated with 10 busts of illustrious personalities from Tenerife like the musician Teobaldo Power or the dramatist Ángel Guimerá.
The reason behind the creation of the museum is really odd though: they simply needed a space where they could keep the defeated flags won during the attempted conquest of the british crown. Now it contains a warehouse of artworks from the Prado Museum in Madrid. To this day the flags can be found in the museum along with artworks like the ‘Tríptico de Nava y Grimón’ from Pieter Coecke or ‘San Andrés’ from José de Ribera, together with other canarian artists like Gaspar de Quevedo.
INFORMATION: Open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00/ Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays from 10:00 to 15:00: Entrance free/ Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Historical Military Museum of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands have been exposed to many attempts of conquest throughout the years, due to their strategic location, such as the british intention at the end of the XVIII century. Right after that they suggested to make a structure which would protect the city from the attacks, which is why they created Fuerte de Almeyda. You might be thinking: why are they telling me all this? Well, because this is where the Historical Military Museum of the Canary Islands is located.
Inside the museum you’ll find information related to the military history of the islands in connection with other national occurrences, such as the incorporation of the Canaries to the Crown of Castile. There are also exhibited flags, weapons, medals, artworks, mockups, underground cannon routes. The ‘Hercules Cannon’ stands out that protected Tenerife till the XIX century.
On the outside you’ll find a big exterior fortress made of stone, historical vehicles, helicopters.. all things related to the military world of the islands. On the upper part, a short walk can be stood out, between some anti-aircraft pieces, from which you can gaze at the capital’s harbour.
INFORMATION: Open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00/ Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00: Free entrance/ Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Other museums
To talk about all the museums Tenerife has would be very time consuming. However, there are many interesting places like Tenerife Espacios de las Artes (TEA), found in the capital, which is a complex of a museum and a contemporary art centre, the Photo Center Tenerife Island (Centro de Fotografía Isla de Tenerife) and the Municipal Central Library. It has various exhibition rooms and an alternative cinema.
There are also some “peculiar” museums. Artiandya (Icod de los Vinos) is a contemporary doll art museum. Yes, dolls! And not just that but also of teddy bears. Although it might sound a bit scary, you shouldn’t worry! The museum holds a large handmade doll collection entirely made from the owners of the place. There, children will be able to practice how to make a porcelain doll or simply watch as they make it.
If after reading the article, you still don’t feel like visiting any museum in Tenerife, we give up! You must really not like them! But in case you changed your mind, welcome to the club, and we’ll be waiting for you to join us!