Columbus House

Columbus House (Casa de Colón) was the former residence of the governor of the island of Gran Canaria. Casa de Colón is located in the ancient Vegueta district of Las Palmas. The explorer lived here in 1492 during his first voyage while his ship was undergoing repairs. Columbus visited the island three times: in 1492, 1493, and 1502.

This building illustrates the evolution of colonial architecture. The house underwent reconstruction only once, in 1777. The main features of the building have been preserved unchanged.

Casa de Colón consists of several houses united by inner courtyards. The Gothic and Renaissance patios showcase different types of columns, carved wooden balustrades, a stone well, and ancient cannons. The light facades are adorned with stone reliefs in the island style. The architectural complex has a distinctive appearance thanks to the wooden window frames and balconies in the typical “Canarian” spirit. In front of the entrance, there is a fountain in the form of a hexagonal column over a stone bowl.

The richly decorated Tudor-style portal with massive doors leads to the former carriage house of the main building. Stone lioness figures holding the city’s coat of arms are installed on either side.

Since 1952, the Museum of the Age of Discovery has been operating in Casa de Colón. Spacious rooms with high ceilings, massive carved cedar beams, huge doors, and small windows are divided into three levels, five thematic departments, and thirteen halls.

On the first floor, there are maps of Columbus’ voyages with marked routes, scale models of ships, a reconstruction of a fragment of the Niña ship, navigation instruments, and pennants. A separate exhibition illustrates the significance of the Canary Islands as an important maritime site between mainland Spain and America. Pre-Columbian artworks are stored in the basement rooms.

One of the halls on the second floor features a relief model of the island of Gran Canaria. In other halls, visitors can see a collection of 16th to 20th-century paintings, works gifted by the Prado Museum, and a historical exhibition of the city. The building also houses the Provincial Archive and Library.