The Pueblo Canario

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Civil architecture · Year: 1937-1956 · Authors: Miguel Martín-Fernández de la Torre, Néstor Martín-Fernández de la Torre

This architectural complex is set right in the neighbourhood of Ciudad Jardín, in turn located in the finest and greenest part of town. It was the brainchild of Néstor Martín in 1937, then actually constructed by his architect brother Miguel Martín, who ran all the building work until this was finished in 1956.

The Pueblo Canario is an ensemble organized around a rectangular courtyard on two levels, and is entirely closed off by a wall and surrounding buildings. The main entrance is to the south, and is gained through a domed area flanked by two towers, over which is the city's coat of arms; once inside, the highlight is the hermitage of Santa Catalina, a colonial style building, comprising one nave in a Mudejar wood panelling, with a doorway, tower, stone belfry, which was converted into a museum just as Néstor himself had originally planned, conserving the paintings by Jesús Arencibia. To the east, the Néstor Museum is located, with a hall on two levels around which there are exhibition rooms. They are rectangular in shape, except for Poema del Mar room, which is octagonal. The rest of the buildings are for commercial use, and have arcades running along them with "hazardous" volumetries. The decorative repertoire comprises a wide range, from elements of "traditional Canary architecture" to more classist styles -as in the doorway to the Museum- as well as "Nestorian" inventions in its carpentry, stonework and ceramics. The whole layout was conceived to represent the "spirit" of popular architecture, and is portrays a true centre for Canary culture, where exhibition halls were installed and cultural events were held, as tourist attractions.

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