Casa de la Pólvora (Gunpowder House), Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Gunpowder House is a hidden gem of 18th-century military architecture. Constructed between 1756 and 1758 under the direction of engineer Francisco La Pierre, this robust structure was originally built to store artillery powder for the city’s coastal defences. Its rectangular basalt stone construction, rounded end walls, and barrel-vaulted roof provided a fire-resistant chamber capable of holding up to 150 000 kg of gunpowder while withstanding potential bombardment.

In 1779, additional earthworks were added to mask the building from naval view and absorb enemy cannon fire, ensuring the safety of its volatile contents. For roughly 150 years, the Gunpowder House served as the island’s primary powder magazine. In 1926, by royal decree, control transferred from the military to the city council, marking the end of its direct military use.

Today, the Gunpowder House remains one of the few surviving fortification buildings. While the interior is not currently open to visitors, the exterior and its scenic riverside gardens offer a glimpse into Tenerife’s defensive past.