The historic fortress of Castillo de la Luz in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Located on Calle Juan Rejón in the neighborhood of La Isleta, the Castillo de la Luz, also known as the Fortaleza de las Isletas, was built in 1494. It was ordered by the third Governor, Alonso Fajardo, to serve as a defensive fortress after the island of Gran Canaria was incorporated into the Crown of Castile. Originally situated on a reef, the castle was separated from the sea by more than 150 meters as the city developed. It was built over a wooden fort constructed by Captain Juan Rejón during the conquest of the Canary Islands in 1478.

The fortress was constructed in different phases based on defensive needs. It began with a medieval-style quadrangular tower known as the Torre de Alonso Fajardo, followed by a perimeter defensive bulwark around 1515. In 1553, it received further additions and underwent reconstruction after a fire in 1599 caused by a fleet led by Pieter van der Does. The current exterior structure was built in the last third of the 17th century. Its defensive functions continued until the 19th century, making it the first defensive construction on the island.

After decades of abandonment, the castle was restored in 1969 with a new moat and arches. It was declared a Monumento Histórico-Artístico in 1941. A new restoration project in 1998 recovered the original 15th-century core, including the courtyard and well. Since opening in 2015, it has served as the headquarters for the Fundación Martín Chirino de Arte y Pensamiento, housing the private collection of the Canary sculptor Martín Chirino.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons