Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

Castillo de San Cristóbal

The Castle of San Cristóbal (Spanish: Castillo de San Cristóbal) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) was the first fortification of significance on the island of Tenerife and the main defensive building on…

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HistoricCulture & Heritage

Under the administration of Gov. Álvarez de Fonseca, construction began in 1575 but it was the January 20, 1577 when it entered service. The castle was demolished in 1928 to construct the Plaza de España, with the remains of the castle buried under it for centuries. On June 28, 2006, during the refurbishment of the Plaza of Spain, some remains were later found to belong to the castle. At that time precautionary and protective measures were taken in order to ensure the preservation of the find.

There remain only a few walls of the original building on display in a tunnel under the Plaza de España. Today, the castle is a museum which houses the famous "Cañón Tigre" (Tiger Cannon), which shot a musketball to Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson's right arm, which fractured his humerus bone in multiple places on July 25, 1797, the reason why he had his arm amputated.

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Tours & experiences in Castillo de San Cristóbal

Bookable tickets, tours and activities from our partners.

RECREATIONAL DIVE (certified divers only) : Explore Canarian Sealife

5.0(189)3 hours

From €95

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TRY SCUBA DIVING with a Dedicated Instructor

5.0(108)3 hours

From €120

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Tenerife: Los Cristianos Small-Group Scuba Diving Experience

5.0(63)3 hours

From €80

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Small-Group Half-Day Canyoning in La Orotava

5.0(58)6 hours

From €80

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Puerto de la Cruz : Tour in Quad al Teide with Photos & Snack Local

5.0(51)3 hours

From €85

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Electric City Bike Rent Tenerife

5.0(48)7 days

From €150

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Explore nearby

Places close to Castillo de San Cristóbal, sorted by distance.

WithinType

Historic

Monumento a los Caídos

0 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

memorial in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

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Culture & Heritage

Plaza de la Candelaria

0 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

The Plaza de la Candelaria, is a square in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), which is located next to the Plaza de España.

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Culture & Heritage

plaza de España

100 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

Plaza de España (lit. Spain Square), is the largest square in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the Canary Islands (Spain). The square is located in the centre of town, 1.4 km north of the Auditorio de Tenerife.

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Historic

Casino de Tenerife

100 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

cultural property in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

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Historic

Carta Palace

100 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

El palacio de Carta es un palacio situado en la céntrica plaza de la Candelaria, justamente enfrente de la Cámara de Comercio y del monumento al Triunfo de la Candelaria, en Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canarias, España).

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Historic

Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís

200 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

Catholic parish church in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

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Towns & Villages

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

200 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsanta ˈkɾuθ ðe teneˈɾife] ; locally [ˈsanta ˈkɾus ðe teneˈɾife]), commonly abbreviated as Santa Cruz, is a city, the capital of the island of Tenerife, Province of Santa C…

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Historic

Chapel of Venerable Orden Tercera

300 m

Santa Cruz & La Laguna

La capilla de la Venerable Orden Tercera es una capilla situada detrás de la Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís y junto a la Plaza del Príncipe en la ciudad de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Islas Canarias, España).

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