The discovery, of great importance for the military history of the capital, was made during the construction of the annex building to the Cabildo de Tenerife. The piece, whose dimensions exceed those of other cannons previously found in the area, was part of Santa Cruz de Tenerife's defensive system.
Currently, technicians from Museos de Tenerife are analyzing the cannon. The conservation team is evaluating its characteristics and intervention needs, as the piece is in poor condition, with a large amalgamation of earth and minerals adhering to it.
“"The objective is to guarantee its correct conservation and, subsequently, integrate it into the exhibition narrative of our centers."
The study, conservation, and documentation will be exhaustive to achieve its definitive historical identification. Once restored, the cannon will be transferred to the Castillo de San Cristóbal Interpretation Center, located beneath the Plaza de España. This space already houses important remains, such as the Tigre cannon, crucial in the defeat of Admiral Nelson in 1797.
The transfer of this new artillery piece is shaping up to be a complex technical operation. Specialists from Museos de Tenerife, in coordination with the construction company, are designing the logistics to ensure that the cannon is not damaged during its extraction and installation, where it will be permanently exhibited to the public.
The incorporation of this discovery reinforces the historical journey through Tenerife's defensive system. The interpretation center not only highlights capital fortifications such as Paso Alto, San Juan, or San Cristóbal but also contextualizes other strategic island points, such as the Castillo de San Felipe in Puerto de la Cruz or the Castillo de San Miguel in Garachico. The vice president of the Cabildo, Lope Afonso, and the councillor for Culture, Museums and Sports, José Carlos Acha, have visited the discovery site.
