Castle of San Cristobal

The castle was one of the first defensive structures built on Tenerife, entering service in 1575. Prior to its building, Santa Cruz had repelled invasions by nations and pirates, including Antoine Alfonse in 1552, Nicolas Durant de Villegaignon in 1555, Paris Legendre in 1556, John Hawkins in 1564, William Wynter in 1571. Following the castles completion, Robert Blake in 1657, John Jennings in 1706, Woodes Rogers in 1708 and most famously Horatio Nelson in 1797.
The castle was demolished in 1928 to make way for the Plaza de Espana being constructed over the ruins. In 2006 during refurbishment of the Plaza, some of the castle remains were re-discovered and now are part of an underground museum and visitor centre accessed from the Plaza.
The castle is once again home to the cannon 'El Tigre', reputed to be the weapon that injured Rear Admiral Nelson in his arm which was later amputated.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward