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Historic Cannon Unearthed at Tenerife Council Building Site

Historical Cannon Discovered During Council Works

Construction work on an annexe building next to the Tenerife Island Council headquarters has yielded an unexpected discovery: a large cannon that could be linked to the old defensive system of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The artefact was located during works in the island’s capital and is now being analysed by technicians from Museos de Tenerife, who are studying its origin, state of preservation, and the best way to conserve it.

A Significant Artillery Piece

According to initial observations, it is an iron cannon weighing approximately three tonnes, with dimensions larger than other artillery pieces related to the city’s defence. Early estimates suggest it could date from the late 16th century, though its definitive identification will depend on the technical process initiated after the find.

Preservation and Study Plans

The island’s Vice President, Lope Afonso, and the Minister of Culture, Museums and Sports, José Carlos Acha, visited the piece on Wednesday and confirmed it will undergo a process of study, conservation, and documentation by the specialised teams of Museos de Tenerife. Technicians are now working on a detailed evaluation of its characteristics and its level of deterioration.

The cannon is in a poor state of preservation and has a significant accumulation of earth and minerals around it, which requires precise planning for its intervention and future relocation. The Council’s objective is to guarantee the cannon’s correct conservation and, once technical work is finished, to incorporate it into a space where it can be explained within its historical context.

Future Home in Historical Centre

The chosen location to house the piece is the San Cristóbal Castle Interpretation Centre, situated beneath the Plaza de España in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Part of the island’s old defensive system is exhibited there, alongside remains of the castle wall and other military elements linked to Tenerife’s history.

The addition of this new cannon would strengthen the historical narrative of the centre, which already displays the famous ‘Tigre’ cannon associated with the defeat of Admiral Horatio Nelson in his attempt to invade Tenerife in 1797.

Complex Relocation Operation

Moving the piece will not be straightforward. The Council has explained that relocating the cannon presents a complex operation, so plans are already being coordinated with the company responsible for the construction works. This is to ensure both the protection of the discovery and its correct future installation in the exhibition centre.

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