In the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife resides the Palacio de Carta, a prominent civil building built in 1721 by Matías Rodríguez Carta and completed in 1752. Its facade is made of cantería and features elements of neoclassical style. Inside, the palace contains two traditional Canarian patios.
The building was designated a well of cultural interest in 1947, becoming the first property in Santa Cruz to receive this protection. It was reportedly the most well-known building in the city during the 18th century. Historically, it served as the headquarters for the Banco Español de Crédito in the 1950s.
On the morning of 18 July 1936, while serving as the seat of the Civil Government, the building was taken by military rebels. The civil governor who lived there, Manuel Vázquez Moro, was seized and later shot in October of that same year following a sham trial in which he was accused of treason. A skirmish occurred when police loyal to the Republic attempted to free the building, resulting in two deaths in the Plaza de la Candelaria.
Today, the building is owned by the Government of the Canary Islands, which has ceded its use and management to the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The city has rehabilitated the palace, converting it into a cultural space and a tourist information office.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Mutabor
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.