Castillo de la Luz, Military fortress and art museum in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Castillo de la Luz is a fortress with a square plan and thick stone walls that incorporates a tower from the late 15th century. The building has been modernized to create exhibition spaces across multiple levels for art displays.
The fortress was built in 1494 during Spain's conquest of the Canary Islands to protect the harbor from sea attacks. It lost its military purpose in the 19th century as defense technologies changed.
The Martín Chirino Art and Thought Foundation uses this renovated fortress to display works by the Canarian sculptor through rotating exhibitions. You experience the artistic vision of a locally important artist within a historical setting.
The site has multiple levels with stairs and an elevator providing access to different exhibition areas. Wearing comfortable shoes and allowing time to explore the various spaces is advisable.
A Cor-Ten steel elevator was integrated into the castle courtyard during renovation to connect different exhibition levels while preserving the historical structure. This modern element stands in deliberate contrast with the old stone walls and shows how contemporary architecture and history can coexist.
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