Consistorio Street begins at Plaza del Adelantado, running parallel to Herradores on the right and Santo Domingo on the left. It is named Consistorio because it houses the administrative buildings of La Laguna City Council. The entrance to the municipal offices on this street is considered one of the most architecturally interesting facades in the World Heritage City and the Canary Islands.
Previously, it was called the Jail Street during the time of the “Council and Regiment”. Up until 1983, it was situated within the municipal buildings area, at the corner of La Carrera Street and Adelantado Square. The prison facilities used to serve the courts. Today, the old prison facilities remain, repurposed for other uses.
Following the military coup of 1936, many republicans were detained in this prison before being transferred to other prisons and makeshift detention spaces. Republican women were also housed here alongside other inmates.
The General Police Corps complaints office, established in the municipal arcades since 1968, moved to the building known as the “College of the Dominicans”. In 1978, an Armed Police Company joined the office until 1983 when the Security Corps relocated to Nava and Grimón Street, at the “Hamilton” building, forming the National Police Station of San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
The Municipal Archive, situated in the annex building of the Town Hall on Consistorio Street, houses over two million documents dating back to the first Cabildo of Tenerife up until 1837. It is revered as the most important civil archive of the Canary Islands, holding valuable heritage. Additionally, it preserves the archive donated by Manuel de Ossuna in a holographic will from 1950. The Municipal Historical Archive stores all documentation generated by the offices and units of the Lagunero City Council since 1837.
THE HISTORY OF OLD DOMINICAN SCHOOL
At number 4 on Consistorio Street stands a building from the 18th century, renovated multiple times. Since late 1907, after a renovation by architect Mariano Stanga, the Santa Rosa de Lima school was opened by the Dominican Missionaries of the Sagrada Familia. This educational institution, which the City Council commended, eventually moved to modern facilities outside the historic centre. The City Council of San Cristóbal de La Laguna honoured the school with the City Gold Medal.
At number 10, in a two-story Canarian-style house, Antonio Leal Martín was born on June 4, 1881. He was a philanthropist, businessman, and the driving force behind the Leal Theater. Unfortunately, he mysteriously disappeared while travelling from Seville to Madrid in 1936.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ALLEY OF BITTERNESS
La Amargura alley, located between Consistorio Street and parallel Santo Domingo Street, serves as a passage connecting the two streets ending in Plaza del Adelantado. This alley, depicted on Torriani’s 1588 plan of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, was historically used to access the Royal Prison. Its name originates from the sorrow neighbours felt witnessing prisoners being transported to the nearby prison.
THE STORY OF OBISPO RUIZ CABAL STREET (NEW STREET)
Parallel to La Amargura alley, Obispo Ruiz Cabal Street crosses Herradores and Consistorio before leading to Santo Domingo Church. It consists of two cobbled alleys facilitating movement between distant streets.
According to Lagunero journalist Domingo García Barbuzano, “The privateer Amaro Pargo owned eight houses with barns in front of Santo Domingo convent.” Named New Street, the houses stood where the Royal Prison once was, built by Amaro Pargo himself. Several of these historical houses remain well-preserved today. This central street in La Laguna terminates at Plaza de San Cristóbal.
