Casa de Fuset

Casa de Fuset is an abandoned, partly ruined house tucked into the hills of El Moquinal, within the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna on Tenerife — a place visitors seek out for its unsettling backstory more than for its architecture.

Where is Casa de Fuset?

The house stands inside Anaga Rural Park (Parque Rural de Anaga), the mountain range covering the island's northeastern tip, administratively part of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It's an isolated spot among steep ridges and ravines, well away from the built-up city center, reachable only on foot along trails that cross the park.

What is the history behind the house?

The building went up in the 1940s. Its first owner was Benito Pérez Armas, father-in-law of Lorenzo Martínez Fuset, a lawyer and close associate of General Francisco Franco. The house takes its name from Fuset, and locally it also goes by Casa Franco or Casa del Pánico. According to historical accounts, Martínez Fuset was responsible for guarding the dictator's wife, Carmen Polo, and their daughter there during the 1936 uprising. A popular story claims Franco himself lived in the house, but that's not true — the building was constructed only after Franco had already left the island. Its family ties to the dictator's inner circle were enough, though, for his name to stick to the place.

The house remained inhabited until roughly the 1980s, after which it was abandoned and gradually fell into the ruin seen today, its bare walls now blending into the Anaga landscape.

The most unsettling chapter came in the 1990s. After escaping from the Tenerife II prison in 1991, Dámaso Rodríguez Martín, known as "El Brujo," a perpetrator of a notorious crime, reportedly hid out in the empty house. That episode permanently attached an air of dread to Casa de Fuset, and local stories about paranormal activity and alleged rituals were later added to the mix — though most remain unverified tales passed around locally.

What will you see on site?

This isn't a maintained heritage site with information panels — it's a genuine ruin being reclaimed by nature: bare walls, remnants of the structure, and the dense, mountainous Anaga scenery surrounding it. The place draws photographers and local-history enthusiasts looking for striking "abandoned" shots and a close encounter with the park's rugged wilderness.

How do you get there, and what should you watch out for?

Access is on foot, via hiking trails through Anaga Rural Park, and some routes in the area require prior administrative permission — worth checking before setting out. Carry out everything you bring in, and don't disturb the ruin or its surroundings, since the whole area is under environmental protection. Sturdy hiking boots and a good sense of direction are essential, as the trails can be steep and poorly marked.

When is the best time to visit?

The best months are those with milder weather and lower humidity, when Anaga's mountain trails are dry and safer to walk. It's worth setting out early in the morning to allow time for an unhurried return before dark — the area is remote and has no lighting.

Frequently asked questions

Did Franco really live in Casa de Fuset? No. That's a popular myth — the house was only built in the 1940s, after Franco's time on Tenerife. Its connection to his family comes from the dictator's close associate, Lorenzo Martínez Fuset, who is said to have guarded his wife and daughter there.

Where does the nickname Casa del Pánico come from? It refers to the dark reputation the house gained after the 1990s, when it reportedly served as a hideout for an escaped criminal, plus the many local legends about paranormal happenings that grew up around it.

Can you go inside the building? The house is in ruins and sits within a protected natural park — visitors should be careful, avoid damaging what remains, and follow the rules that apply on Anaga's trails.

Is the hike to Casa de Fuset difficult? It requires walking mountain trails in Anaga Rural Park, some of them steep, so reasonable fitness and proper footwear are needed.