Castillo de La Luz – Martín Chirino Foundation of Art and Thought

Castillo de La Luz is the oldest defensive fortress in the Canary Islands. It was built in 1494 on the site where the foundations of a modest tower once stood, erected by Juan Rejón, founder of the Real de Las Palmas—the seed of the city—in 1478.

From its strategic position on the La Isleta isthmus, safeguarding the domains of the Crown of Castile from Dutch and English pirate attacks, Castillo de La Luz has witnessed key moments in the history of the Canary Islands. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1941.

Since 2014, it has been the headquarters of the Fundación de Arte y Pensamiento Martín Chirino, a space dedicated to art, debate and culture in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where history and archaeology coexist with the work of the Gran Canaria sculptor, engraver and draughtsman.

The building was remodelled as an art venue by the architectural studio Nieto-Sobejano. During the restoration process, parts of the original structure were uncovered, which had remained hidden for five centuries due to the infill added when the outer defensive wall was constructed in the 16th century.

Martín Chirino, recipient of the National Prize for Fine Arts, was a member of the artistic group El Paso. His works can be found in streets, squares, museums and collections, with several located at different points throughout the city.

Guided tours:
Wednesdays, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (English or Spanish), by telephone(928 463 162) or e-mail(DEAC@fundacionmartinchirino.org).

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 to 19:00. Sundays and holidays: from 10:00 to 14:00.