In the heart of La Orotava, to the north of Tenerife, lies one of the most impressive architectural gems of the Canary Islands.
We are talking about the Casa de Los Balcones, also known as Casa Méndez-Fonseca, a 17th-century building that exemplifies tradition and the splendour of the island’s heritage like few others.
Situated on one of the most emblematic streets of the town, this grand house stands out for its spectacular tea wood facade, the handcrafted Canarian balconies, and an interior that has been preserved in excellent condition thanks to the efforts of generations of the Machado family, its current owners.
The three-storey facade retains the traditional elements of Canarian noble houses.
On the upper floor, a continuous balcony dominates the external view, while the second floor displays five wrought iron balconies, each with a wooden base and geometric and floral sgraffito designs around the openings.
One of the most striking features is the studded main door, with classic panels and the family crests of the Fonseca family above the central balcony.
Overall, the facade conveys a perfect balance of strength, elegance, and tradition.
Upon entering, the visitor is greeted by an authentic Canarian courtyard, where the front wing stands out for the quality of its tea woodwork, a noble and difficult wood to carve which reaches its maximum expression here.
The tall tea columns, resting on stone pedestals, support galleries with paired balusters and floral details.
A spiral staircase on the left side and the coffered ceilings of some rooms add an even more artistic touch.
The courtyard is adorned with lush vegetation, creating a welcoming space where visitors feel transported to another era.
What impresses most in this house is the omnipresence of Canarian pine wood: ceilings, beams, columns, crossbeams… everything is carved with a level of detail that turns the entire structure into a tribute to Canarian master carpenters.
Many of the elements have never been treated or painted, and even today, after centuries of history, the wood continues to exude resin.
Inside, the artistically carved ceilings of each lounge and the carefully created ambience of each space allow one to discover how the former noble families of the island lived.
Currently, the Casa de Los Balcones operates as a house-museum, opened to the public for cultural visits, exhibitions, and events.
It is much more than a tourist attraction: it is a window to the past, a symbol of traditional Canarian architecture, and an opportunity to discover, firsthand, one of the most picturesque facades of the archipelago.
With its thick stone and mud walls, its spacious and sunlit lounges, and its iconic three-storey balcony, the Casa de Los Balcones is undoubtedly one of the most special places to visit in Tenerife.
