Castillo de San Cristóbal (Castle of San Cristóbal), Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Castle of San Cristóbal served as the city’s main line of defense against invaders for centuries. Built in 1575 on the orders of King Philip II, this coastal fortress helped shape the early history of Tenerife and played a crucial role during key events-most famously repelling Admiral Horatio Nelson’s attack in 1797.

Today, the original structure is largely gone, but its legacy lives on beneath the Spain Square. Visitors can explore the Castle of San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre, where sections of the old walls remain preserved underground. The exhibition space uses models, artifacts, and interactive displays to illuminate the daily life of the fortress, recounting stories of sieges, cannons, and the strategic importance of Santa Cruz’s harbor.

A highlight of the visit is the chance to see the iconic “Tiger Cannon”, the historic castel's bronze cannon, which, according to legend, helped wound Nelson himself, by losing his right arm.