Casa de Carta Welcomes Visitors with a Revamped Experience and Engaging Exhibition

The Casa de Carta has officially reopened its doors to the public, presenting a revitalized image and a captivating new exhibition that emphasizes the intricate relationship between textile and photographic heritage. This reopening not only enhances the museum’s appeal but also reinforces its role as a cultural hub in Tenerife.

Transformative Renovation and Modernization Initiatives

Museos de Tenerife has successfully completed the initial phase of renovations at Casa de Carta, a key site within the Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife (MHAT). This reopening marks a significant milestone for the museum, as it seamlessly blends historical elements with contemporary design, creating a space that respects the past while looking forward.

Rosa Dávila, a prominent figure in the project, expressed her pride in the reopening, highlighting the Cabildo’s unwavering commitment to modernizing museum spaces. She articulated that this initiative aims to strengthen public engagement while fostering a vibrant and accessible environment for all. Dávila emphasized that this project exemplifies the delicate balance between preserving history and embracing modernity, ensuring that the museum remains relevant to today’s audiences.

José Carlos Acha, the Councillor for Culture, Museums, and Sports of the Cabildo de Tenerife, echoed these sentiments, noting that the reopening signifies a progressive step in modernizing museum spaces. He stressed the importance of merging tradition with a modern perspective, which is essential for encouraging visitors to appreciate the historical significance of local crafts and their evolution over time.

Significance to the Community and Cultural Heritage

Fran Hernández, the Deputy Mayor of La Laguna, underscored the cultural importance of Casa de Carta in preserving local identity and traditions. He remarked that maintaining such sites is crucial for safeguarding the collective memory of the community, allowing future generations to connect with their heritage.

Providing insights into the technical aspects of the renovation project, Carlos Pallés, the scientific director of the Autonomous Organisation of Museums and Centres of the Cabildo de Tenerife, shared details about the new entrance. Located along the Tejina-Tacoronte main road (TF-16), the entrance features a perimeter wall inspired by traditional agricultural windbreaks. This design not only enhances accessibility but also creates a visual connection with the surrounding rural landscape, inviting visitors to engage with the natural beauty of the area.

Exhibition Highlights and Enriching Visitor Experience

Inside the museum, the renovated exhibition spaces focus on the 18th-century wing of the building, which was originally part of the estate owned by the Lope de Guerra family. This renovation respects the original architecture while adapting it to modern museographic narratives, ensuring that visitors can appreciate both the historical context and contemporary interpretations of the exhibits.

Visitors can once again explore the botanical garden, traditional crop collections, the Canarian greenhouse, and various historical features such as the water weigher, wine press, and mills room. These elements have been meticulously updated to enhance the visitor experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich agricultural history of the region.

Casa de Carta is now open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, inviting both locals and tourists to rediscover this historically rich site that serves as a bridge between memory and creativity. The museum’s commitment to accessibility ensures that everyone can enjoy the diverse offerings available.

The exhibition titled ‘Threads of Memory’ serves as the centerpiece of this new phase, intertwining textile and photographic heritage. This innovative display offers a narrative that reflects on traditional crafts through a contemporary lens, beginning with the attire of the Monteverde family. It explores the cultural significance and materials that shape island identity, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the region’s artistic legacy.

Additionally, a temporary exhibition dedicated to various needlework techniques, including rosettes, lace-making, embroidery, and bobbin lace, pays homage to the women who have preserved these skills across generations. This exhibition not only showcases the artistry involved in these crafts but also highlights the vital role women have played in maintaining cultural traditions.

Key points

• Casa de Carta has reopened following extensive renovations by Museos de Tenerife.
• The site features a new exhibition linking textile and photographic heritage.
• Rosa Dávila emphasized the importance of modernizing museum spaces for public engagement.
• The new entrance enhances accessibility and connects visitors with the rural landscape.
• Guests can enjoy various historical features, including a botanical garden and traditional crop collections.
• The exhibition ‘Threads of Memory’ explores island identity through crafts and textiles.
• Casa de Carta is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, welcoming all to experience its rich history.