If you like culture or feel fascinated by history in general, we invite you to discover the different castles in Gran Canaria, which are well connected from our accommodations.
Which castles in Gran Canaria are open to the public?
Due to their state of conservation, some old constructions are not available for visits. However, there are some castles in Gran Canaria that are open to the public and which we will talk about below:
Castillo de la Luz
Castillo de la Luz is located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and was built in 1494 with the aim of being used as a defensive fortress. This building went through different phases depending on the defensive needs of each period.
In the 19th century it was abandoned when pirate attacks ceased, going through decades of neglect until 1969, when its restoration was carried out. In 1998 it underwent some extensions, also incorporating some original elements to recover its old essence.
Currently, this castle functions as a Museum in Gran Canaria, where the works of the important Canarian sculptor Martín Chirino are exhibited, which are part of the private collection of the Fundación Martín Chirino de Arte y Pensamiento.
Castillo de Mata
Another of the castles in Gran Canaria that you can visit is Castillo de Mata, which is also located in Las Palmas and was built in 1577 by an engineer named Juan Alonso Rubián.
However, not many years passed before it suffered an attack by pirates from the Dutch fleet led by Pieter van der Does, which left the building completely destroyed. The reconstruction of the castle added new improvements to offer greater resistance against all kinds of attacks.
In recent decades, Castillo de Mata has been used as a venue for religious celebrations such as the welcome of the Virgen del Pino from the basilica of Teror. And since 2015, a museum has been set up that preserves the historical and archaeological memory of the city.
Other castles in Gran Canaria that you should know
Ya sea por su nivel de deterioro o por su estado actual, algunos castillos en Gran Canaria no están disponibles al público. Sin embargo, puedes conocerlos desde lejos y sacar fotografías increíbles de estas construcciones arquitectónicas. A continuación, te hablaremos de cada uno de ellos:
Castillo de San Cristóbal
In 1578, the governor Diego Megarejo ordered the construction of this castle to strengthen the defence of the island. After different attacks carried out in later decades, it was rebuilt in 1638, adding new towers to give it greater resistance.
In 1878 the castle was completely abandoned, going through decades of deterioration. In 1999 it underwent a restoration process and, currently, its state of conservation is good.
Today, it is considered a Historic Artistic Monument. Aesthetically, it resembles a circular tower, which was built out at sea on top of a rock.
Castillo de San Francisco
Castillo de San Francisco
Between the years 1595 and 1625, Castillo de San Francisco was built on the mountain of the same name located in Gran Canaria. After its construction, it underwent various renovations in different periods and, due to the characteristics of the terrain, the layout of this building is irregular.
This construction was connected to Castillo de Mata by a wall, in order to increase the island’s defences against pirate attacks. The great advantage offered by this fortress was that the horizon could be seen, making it useful for spotting any sign of invasion.
In 1997 it was declared Municipal Heritage of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and, although it is abandoned, its state of conservation is very good.
Castillo del Romeral
Also known as Casa Fuerte de Santa Cruz del Romeral, this location is situated in the municipality of San Bartolomé in Gran Canaria and, currently, only some remains of the fortification remain.
In terms of its architecture, it had a rectangular shape and consisted of two floors, the lower one intended for accommodation and storage of provisions and the upper one for cannons. It was rebuilt and surrounded by a strong wall, and a square and a series of cisterns for the garrison were also included.
In the mid-19th century, it was used for salt storage. However, it was abandoned in the 1960s, leading to such deterioration that only some ground floor rooms were preserved, which have now been converted into fishermen’s houses.
Tips for visiting the castles in Gran Canaria
Among the excursions you can do in Gran Canaria, without a doubt a different option is to visit these castles that reflect a very distant and symbolic period for the inhabitants of the island.
However, it is important to bear in mind that the castles in Gran Canaria are in a state of conservation, so it is important to know that there are certain recommendations that must be followed when visiting them. Find out about the visiting hours to plan your route and learn more about the culture of Gran Canaria.
Exploring the castles in Gran Canaria is a different way to delve into the history of the island and discover its defensive past through unique landscapes and character-filled constructions.
If you are planning your trip, you can complete the experience by staying in one of the Lopesan hotels in Gran Canaria, located in privileged areas such as Meloneras, Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés, from where you can move around the island comfortably and enjoy an unforgettable stay by the sea.
