Cañón Tigre, Bronze cannon at Castle of San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
The Cañón Tigre is a bronze cannon housed in Castle of San Cristóbal in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, displaying a functional form with decorative markings along its surface. The barrel has substantial length and was designed as a working weapon, with details that reflect its 18th-century manufacture.
The cannon was cast in Seville in 1768 by master craftsman Solano and later arrived in Tenerife to defend the city. It stood ready before the 1797 British attack led by Admiral Nelson and played a role in repelling this major invasion attempt.
The cannon displays the coat of arms of Castile and León and bears the inscription 'SOLANO FECIT SEVILLA AÑO DE 1768' on its spherical knob, preserving its maker and origin. These markings tell of the craftsmanship and pride that Spanish gunsmiths took in their work.
The cannon is displayed in the Museum of Castle of San Cristóbal, which is accessed from below Plaza de España and connects with the fortress itself. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as access involves stairs and underground passages with some narrow rooms.
The cannon can still be moved and adjusted because it is mounted on a carriage rather than permanently installed. This working setup shows how artillery pieces were actually operated in fortress defenses of that era.
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