Catedral de San Cristobal de La Laguna

Updated April 15, 2024

Iglesia Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Laguna – Turismo de La Laguna

## Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Laguna: the heart of Tenerife’s “other” capital

On Plaza de los Remedios in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, just inland from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, stands one of the most important churches in the Canary Islands: the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Laguna, also known as the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios.

This is the mother church of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which covers Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. It anchors the historic centre of La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage city since 1999 thanks to its well-preserved colonial street grid and historic architecture.

For a Tenerife itinerary that goes beyond beaches and resort strips, this cathedral is one of the key cultural stops.

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## Why this cathedral matters

– Religious and historical centre of Tenerife – The cathedral is the seat of the bishop and a major pilgrimage site, dedicated to the Virgin of Los Remedios, patron of La Laguna, the island of Tenerife and the diocese.
– UNESCO setting – It sits in the middle of La Laguna’s historic grid of streets and plazas, part of the World Heritage listing that influenced later colonial cities in Latin America. World Heritage Centre
– Layered architecture – You get an unusual mix: a neoclassical façade in dark volcanic stone and white render, inspired by Pamplona Cathedral, paired with a neo-Gothic interior rebuilt in the early 20th century.
– Art and memory – Inside lie the remains of Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the conqueror of Tenerife and founder of La Laguna, tying the building directly to the island’s colonial history.

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## A brief history (without the fluff)

You don’t need every date, but understanding the timeline makes a visit more meaningful:

– Early 1500s – First chapel and parish church
A small chapel was built here in the second decade of the 16th century, and by 1515 a larger church in the Mudéjar style (a mix of Christian and Islamic-influenced design) replaced it, dedicated to Our Lady of Los Remedios. Lovers: Tenerife + Gran Canaria

– Early 1800s – Elevated to cathedral, new façade
The church was raised to cathedral status in the early 19th century (commonly cited as 1819). Around the same period, its current neoclassical west front was built, inspired by the façade of Pamplona Cathedral.

– 1904–1915 – Rebuilding in neo-Gothic style
Structural problems eventually forced a radical solution. The old structure was demolished and rebuilt between 1904 and 1915 in a neo-Gothic style, while preserving the neoclassical façade. The result is the hybrid you see today: 19th-century façade, early-20th-century body.

– 1983 – Protected monument
The building was declared a Site of Cultural Interest (national historic-artistic monument) in the 1980s, recognising its heritage value. Lovers: Tenerife + Gran Canaria

– 2002–2014 – Major restoration and closure
Serious deterioration of the vaults and main dome led to a long restoration. The cathedral closed in 2002; studies revealed the need to demolish and reconstruct the dome, vaults and key structural supports. Reconstruction of the vaults began in 2012, and the cathedral finally reopened to worship and visitors in January 2014.

Today you see a building that is comparatively recent structurally, but layered with artworks and objects spanning from the 16th century to the present.

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## What to look for: architecture and art highlights

### 1. The neoclassical façade on Plaza de los Remedios

Facing Plaza de los Remedios, the façade is an instant landmark:

– Symmetrical neoclassical front with a central pediment, round oculi and a portico of columns.
– Twin towers flank the front, rising above the surrounding old town.
– The visual contrast between white rendered surfaces and dark volcanic stone is typical of Canary Islands religious architecture and particularly distinctive here. Lovers: Tenerife + Gran Canaria

Even if you only have a few minutes in La Laguna, it’s worth circling the plaza to appreciate how the façade anchors the square and lines up with the surrounding historic streets.

### 2. Neo-Gothic interior and rare ambulatory

Inside, the style flips:

– The main body is neo-Gothic, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults and clustered columns.
– The cathedral has three wide aisles and an ambulatory – a walkway that runs behind the main altar. This feature is common in major medieval cathedrals in mainland Europe, but it’s unusual in the Canary Islands and gives the interior a more “continental” feel compared to the island’s simpler parish churches.

Because the vaults and dome were rebuilt in the 21st century using modern techniques, you’ll notice a clean, bright structure with discreet engineering behind the historical forms.

### 3. The dome and light

The central dome:

– Rises above the crossing and is one of the highest points in the old town; sources note a height of around 41.5 metres.
– Is clad in copper plates, giving it a distinctive profile in La Laguna’s skyline.
– Brings daylight into the core of the building through windows at the base, which shift the atmosphere during the day – morning and late afternoon are especially good times to see how the light moves through the nave.

From the outside, if you find a higher vantage point in town, you’ll see the series of red-toned domes and roofs stretching behind the façade, emphasising how large the building is relative to the dense street grid.

### 4. The baroque Retablo de Los Remedios

The single most important artwork here is the Retablo de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, in the transept.

Key facts:

– It’s a large baroque altarpiece, carved in wood and richly gilded, dating from the first half of the 18th century.
– The structure and carving are attributed to Antonio Francisco de Orta, with gilding by Jerónimo Príncipe Navarrete.
– It is often described as the largest retablo in the Canary Islands, which makes it a reference piece for baroque art in the archipelago.
– The altarpiece incorporates seven painted panels attributed to the Flemish painter Hendrick van Balen, teacher of Anthony van Dyck, originally linked to the earlier “Retablo de Mazuelos”.

In the central niche you’ll find the image of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, a dressed, polychrome image whose head is dated to around 1515, likely of Sevillian origin, with the rest of the figure completed later. de la Laguna She is recognised as patron of the city, the island and the diocese, and is presented on a silver baldachin throne with a radiant sunburst and a crescent moon at her feet.

If you only study one chapel in depth, make it this one.

### 5. The Italian marble pulpit

Another standout work is the marble pulpit, imported from Italy in the 18th century:

– It arrived in Tenerife in 1767 and is carved in white marble, supported by a sculpted angel.
– Historical visitors and art historians have praised it as a masterpiece of sculpture, and it is often mentioned alongside the Retablo de los Remedios as one of the cathedral’s most important art objects.

Look closely at the figures of the evangelists and the detailing around the base; it’s unusually fine work for a Canary Islands church of this period.

### 6. Treasury and other details

The treasury holds one of the most significant collections of liturgical silverwork in the Canary Islands, including two exceptionally large silver candlesticks, along with vestments, statues and paintings from several centuries.

Other points to notice:

– The choir stalls in mahogany and local barbuzano wood from the first half of the 19th century, placed opposite the main altar – an unconventional but striking arrangement. Lovers: Tenerife + Gran Canaria
– The tomb of Alonso Fernández de Lugo, marking the resting place of the island’s conqueror inside the cathedral.

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## Planning your visit

### Location and getting there

– Address: Plaza de los Remedios, 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (as you provided).
– Setting: Pedestrianised historic centre; you’ll approach via narrow streets lined with traditional Canarian townhouses.

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the cathedral area is typically about 20 minutes by car along the TF-5 motorway in normal traffic. Hit There is also frequent tram and bus service between Santa Cruz and La Laguna; travel times and routes can vary, so it’s best to check current schedules before you go.

### Opening times, tickets and audio guides

Different sources agree on the general pattern:

– Entry to the main nave has recently been free, with a small fee for the audio guide and/or access to additional spaces such as the museum or treasury.
– An audio guide is widely recommended by recent visitors because it explains the history, artworks and chapels in more depth.

However, prices and opening hours change over time, and some information online predates adjustments made after restoration or tourism policy updates. To avoid outdated data, check the official cathedral website or the City of La Laguna tourism site shortly before your visit for:

– current opening hours
– any closure days or restricted areas
– exact ticket prices and what each ticket includes

### How long to allow

Most travellers find 45–90 minutes is enough for an unhurried visit:

– ~20–30 minutes for the nave, architecture and dome
– ~20–30 minutes for the chapels, especially the Retablo de Los Remedios and the pulpit
– extra time if you explore the treasury with an audio guide

If you are combining the cathedral with a wider UNESCO old-town walk, plan half a day in La Laguna so you’re not rushing between sites.

### Accessibility and respectful visiting

Because this is both a working place of worship and a heritage building, a few practical points:

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Catedral de San Cristobal de La Laguna

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