Palacio de Nava

Palacio de Nava, in La Cuesta (San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife), is one of the most striking urban palaces in the Canary Islands, standing on the Plaza del Adelantado in the heart of La Laguna's historic centre.

What will you see there?

The palace occupies the northwest corner of the square, presenting two facades: a main one facing the plaza and Calle Nava, and a side facade on Calle Deán Palahí. The stone-clad walls give the building a solid, monumental presence typical of 18th-century Canarian architecture. Look closely and you'll notice several layers of history at once — Baroque, neoclassical and Mannerist elements sit side by side, a result of construction and renovation work spread across two centuries.

Palacio de Nava can only be visited from the outside; an information board near the entrance fills in the historical background for visitors. Even so, walking around the Plaza del Adelantado is enough to take in the full scale and detail of the facade, and the square is flanked by other historic buildings, making it a natural stop on any walking tour of the city.

What's the history behind it?

The first building on this plot went up on land belonging to Jorge Grimón, one of the conquistadors present on Tenerife from 1500 onward. Construction began in 1585, and the palace underwent its first significant alterations in the mid-17th century. The decisive transformation came in 1776, when Tomás Nava y Grimón y Porlier commissioned a full renovation that clad the entire structure in stone — the appearance it still has today.

Over time, the Grimón family rose to become part of the local aristocracy; by the 17th century they belonged to Tenerife's privileged class. It was here, at Palacio de Nava, that the tertulia de Nava took place — an Enlightenment-era intellectual circle that brought together thinkers and writers from San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the palace was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the Monument category on 6 September 2000.

How do you get there?

Palacio de Nava sits right in the historic centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, on the Plaza del Adelantado — one of the city's most important squares and part of a UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. The centre is fully walkable, and the square itself works as a natural landmark while exploring. Nearby streets are lined with cafés and shops, so a stop at the palace fits easily into a broader walk through the historic quarter.

When's the best time to visit?

Since the palace is viewed from the outside, the best time to visit is during daylight hours with good natural light to bring out the detail of the stone facade — early morning or late afternoon work particularly well, when the light hits at an angle. The Plaza del Adelantado stays lively year-round, so there's no wrong season to stop by.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Palacio de Nava? No — the building can only be viewed from the outside. An information board at the entrance explains its history.

Who built the palace? The first building was constructed on land belonging to Jorge Grimón, a conquistador of Tenerife, with work starting in 1585. Its current stone appearance dates from a full renovation commissioned by Tomás Nava y Grimón y Porlier in 1776.

What's its protected status? Since 6 September 2000, Palacio de Nava has been listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the Monument category.

What was the tertulia de Nava? It was an Enlightenment-era intellectual circle that met regularly at the palace, gathering thinkers and writers from San Cristóbal de La Laguna.