Casa de Lercaro

A historic monument in Santa Cruz-La Laguna

The construction of the house was ordered by Tenerife's lieutenant general Francisco Lercaro de León in 1593 and is an outstanding example of the Canary Islands' civil architecture. Its central patio is truly unique among the architectural solutions used in the Canary Islands thanks to its wooden carvings on the top floor.

The façade has a central masonry body, where the coat of arms of its first owners stands proudly. Also worthy of mention are the finishings on the walls, which imitate brickwork and Renaissance drawings.

Inside there are a series of delicate wooden panels featuring stylised plant motifs that enhance the wainscotting in the corridor. The rooms are all decorated with wonderful wood panelling, while the main stairway is made of the same stone used in the portico at the entrance and in the pillars in the patio, with a vault and a Roman arch.

The building now belongs to the Tenerife Council and has been refurbished and equipped with air conditioning to house the History Museum and the Tenerife Archives.

Its eleven halls are fitted with information boards, which provide a tour through the entire Island's history. Special mention should be made of the Canarian cartography collection, with works dating back from the 16th century. 16th century.

Other details
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 7 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Address
Casa de Lercaro
C/San Agustín 22, 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna