The Canarian Museum

El Museo Canario is a scientific and cultural society founded in 1879 at the initiative of a group of intellectuals led by Dr. Gregorio Chil y Naranjo, with the aim of promoting the scientific and cultural development of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It was one of the city’s earliest tourist attractions.

The permanent exhibition on display in its galleries is devoted exclusively to the aboriginal population of Gran Canaria, the Canarios. It presents the ways of life of this human group of Berber origin, who inhabited the island from around the turn of the era until the 15th century, when the Castilian conquest and colonisation took place.

The organisation of settlements, economic activities and funerary practices are among the aspects visitors can discover during the tour of the museum’s eleven galleries. One of the most notable is the Sala René Verneau, which displays an extensive collection of skulls and several mummies in its showcases.

Located in Vegueta, in what was once the home of Dr. Chil himself, El Museo Canario also houses a documentation centre of great heritage value, comprising a library, an archive and a newspaper library.

Services:
Library, archive, newspaper library, shop.

Guided tours:
Available upon request by calling +34 928 336 800 or by email at didactica@elmuseocanario.com

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.