Duggi Circus

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Sites of memory · Year: 1880

In 1880, Luis Duggi, entrepreneur and owner, built a circus in the neighbourhood that bears his name. His commercial objective was to promote leisure and entertainment in the area, thus giving greater appeal to the new urban development that was planned. 

The circus was located on Iriarte Street. It had a circular ring almost 14 metres in diameter and around it were several rows of seats, boxes and even an amphitheatre. The capacity reached 1,400 spectators, all covered by a canvas or tarpaulin roof.

The venue initially specialised in equestrian shows. It was managed by Mr Ferroni’s company, whose speciality was horses and gymnastic exercises. But it soon hosted other types of exhibitions and acts, such as: cockfights, wrestling, musical performances, etc.

The Duggi circus’s run was relatively short. It probably remained active until the mid-1890s, when for economic reasons it had to close. 

Behind were the ideas of its promoter to make the place a reference for leisure and spectacle in the city. Luis Duggi, with his entrepreneurial drive, intended to convert his circus into a theatre by adding a stage; he also planned to make it suitable as a ballroom and to equip it with a café; all surrounded by beautiful gardens. None of this came to fruition.

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