The Palacio de Carta, a landmark structure and one of the first to be designated as a protected site in the city, is being readied to accommodate, on its upper levels, the upcoming Museum of History of the capital. The Santa Cruz City Council is presently refreshing the master plan of uses, aiming to initiate the processing of the technical documentation that will enable the drafting of the project to commence next year.
The Councillor for Works, Javier Rivero, informed DIARIO DE AVISOS that “the goal is to prepare the second phase of the restoration of the Palacio de Carta in 2025, where the future museum will be situated, in order to outline the execution of the work as clearly as possible to facilitate its organisation.”
The councillor elaborated that “should there be a room dedicated to the Gesta, the plan of uses will aid in equipping that space with specific connections related to the theme, therefore it is crucial to detail its purpose.”
Rivero further remarked that “there is not yet a specific timeline for the commencement of the work, as the project must first be developed, but the timeframe for completion will rely on various factors, chiefly, the budget allocated for the renovation.”
The intention of the City Council for this second phase of the restoration of the Palacio de Carta is to transform its upper floor into the inaugural Museum of the History of Santa Cruz, which will exhibit elements tied to its heritage, alongside other items discovered within the building itself over the years due to its various uses.
The Carta family relinquished their Palace – one of the most significant civil edifices of the Canarian Baroque, which began construction in 1721 and reached completion in 1752 – as a treasure of Santa Cruz’s architectural legacy. The family vacated the residence in 1853, when it shifted to serve as the Captaincy General of the Canary Islands and subsequently as the headquarters of the Civil Government from 1890 until 1942, when the Banco de Crédito Español acquired the property.
It later became the possession of the regional government before being transferred to the City Council, which reopened the Palace in March 2023 following an extensive renovation, where the Tourist Information Office now operates.
The Palace’s renovation was executed by the Fadg architectural studio, led by Fernando Arocha and Deiene González. With an investment exceeding 1.2 million, their focus was on the 1952 renovation, overseen by Enrique Rumeu, where aspects of the original design were altered—justified by the imminent dilapidation—with innovative structural solutions. This restoration has been nominated for the 2024 Cscae Architecture Awards.
