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Museum · Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
Museum of Nature and Archaeology
Museum in the old civil hospital, dating from 1745, with the volcanic nature of the Canaries, fossils and the collection on the guanches, the island's first inhabitants, including mummies.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museum of Nature and Archaeology
The Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología, known as MNA or MUNA, occupies the old Hospital Civil de Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, a neoclassical building enlarged in the 19th century, in the center of Santa Cruz. It brings together two museums: natural sciences and the archaeology of Tenerife.
The natural history section shows the volcanic formation of the archipelago, the island's ecosystems from the beaches to the heights of Teide, fossils and endemic animals such as the giant lizard of El Hierro and birds found only in the Canaries.
The archaeology section deals with the guanches, the North African–origin people who lived in Tenerife before the Castilian conquest at the end of the 15th century. There are stone tools, ceramics, leather and wooden objects, and a room with guanche mummies, prepared with their own conservation techniques, among the best preserved in the archipelago.
The building has internal courtyards and large rooms, and the visit is good to understand the island before going to Teide.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1.5 to 2 hours.
Best time
On a cloudy day or in the middle of the afternoon. It is closed on Mondays; check opening hours.
How to get there
It is located on Calle Fuente Morales, in the center, a 5-minute walk from the Intercambiador and Plaza de España.
Tip
Do the visit at the start of your trip to understand the island's geology and history. The room of the Guanche mummies is the most sought after. Some days have special entry conditions; check in advance.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museum of Nature and Archaeology
Who were the Guanches?
The people of North African origin who lived in Tenerife before the Castilian conquest, at the end of the 15th century.
Does the museum have mummies?
Yes. There is a room with Guanche mummies, preserved using the techniques specific to that people.
Is the museum near the port?
Yes, about a 5-minute walk from Plaza de España and the port.