Historical Figures

15th Century - Tenerife

One of the most prominent Guanche leaders in the resistance against the Castilian conquest. He led the aboriginal forces at the Battle of La Matanza.

15th Century - Gran Canaria

Last king of Gáldar. After his baptism he took the name Fernando Guanarteme and collaborated in the conquest of other islands.

15th Century - La Palma

Benahorite princess, daughter of King Tanausú. According to tradition, she actively participated in the defence of Aceró during the Castilian conquest.

15th Century - La Palma

Last Benahorite king of Aceró. He heroically resisted the Castilian conquest until he was captured by treachery in 1493.

15th Century - Tenerife

Guanche princess, daughter of Mencey Bencomo. According to legend, she had a relationship with the conquistador Fernández de Lugo.

15th Century - Tenerife

Mencey of the kingdom of Anaga in Tenerife. He was one of the few Guanche leaders who initially collaborated with the Castilian conquerors.

15th Century - Gran Canaria

Canarian princess, daughter of Guanarteme Tenesor Semidán. After the conquest she was baptised as Catalina de Guanarteme.

1362-1425 - Normandy/Canary Islands

Norman nobleman who initiated the conquest of the Canary Islands in 1402. He conquered Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and El Hierro, establishing the foundations of the Canarian lordship.

1451-1506 - Genoa/America

The Genoese navigator stopped at La Gomera during his four voyages to America, turning the Canary Islands into a strategic point on the Atlantic route.

1534-1597 - Tenerife/Brazil

Jesuit missionary born in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, co-founder of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Canonised in 2014 as Saint José de Anchieta.

1626–1667 - Tenerife / Guatemala

First native saint of the Canary Islands, founder of hospitals and schools in Guatemala, canonised in 2002.

1456-1525 - Andalusia/Canary Islands

Castilian conqueror who completed the conquest of Tenerife and La Palma. He founded San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the first planned city in Spain.

1462-1501 - Castile/La Gomera

Lady of La Gomera, known for her relationship with Christopher Columbus and her authoritarian rule over the island. A romantic legend of the Canary Islands.

1435-1506 - Jerez/Gran Canaria

Conqueror of Gran Canaria, completed the conquest of the island in 1483. Known for his harshness towards the Canarian aborigines.

1750-1791 - Tenerife

Neoclassical fabulist and poet born in Puerto de la Cruz. Author of "Literary Fables" and a prominent figure of the Spanish Enlightenment.

1678–1747 - Tenerife

Famous Tenerife privateer who defended Spanish interests in the Atlantic. A figure shrouded in legends of treasure and charity.

1731-1813 - Tenerife

Historian, naturalist and poet. He wrote the first modern history of the Canary Islands and the "Dictionary of Natural History of the Canary Islands".

1758–1824 - Tenerife

Inventor of a silk spinning machine, pioneer of science in the Canary Islands and author of technical studies in the 18th century.

1843-1920 - Las Palmas

Writer and playwright born in Las Palmas, considered one of the greatest Spanish novelists after Cervantes. Author of "National Episodes".

1919-1992 - Lanzarote

Artist, architect and ecologist from Lanzarote. He transformed Lanzarote into a model of sustainable development, fusing art, nature and architecture.

1906-1957 - Tenerife

Surrealist painter born in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, inventor of the decalcomania technique. An important figure in international surrealism.

1905–1981 - La Palma

Poet from La Palma belonging to the Generation of '27, founder of the magazine "Cartones" and one of the leading exponents of 20th-century Canarian poetry.

1886-1925 - Gran Canaria

Modernist poet from Gran Canaria, pseudonym of Rafael Romero. He founded the magazine "La Rosa de los Vientos" and renewed Canarian poetry.

1838-1914 - Gran Canaria

Military officer and republican politician born in Las Palmas. He participated in the revolution of 1868 and served as a deputy in the Spanish Cortes.

1892-1956 - Gran Canaria

Physician and politician born in Las Palmas. Last president of the government of the Second Spanish Republic during the Civil War.

1952-present - Tenerife

Canarian poet, essayist and translator. Professor of Literature and one of the most important voices in contemporary Spanish poetry.

1921-2007 - Gran Canaria

Painter from Gran Canaria, one of the most important artists in the Canary Islands in the 20th century. Pioneer of abstract art on the islands.

1897-1939 - Tenerife

Avant-garde poet from Tenerife, a key figure in Spanish surrealism. Author of "Lancelot, 28º-7º", a fundamental work of Canarian literature.

1894-1980 - Gran Canaria

Architect from Gran Canaria who defined the modern "Canarian style". His iconic works include the Hotel Santa Catalina and numerous buildings in Las Palmas.

1827-1904 - France/Canary Islands

French naturalist who studied Canarian flora. Together with Webb he published "Histoire Naturelle des Îles Canaries", a fundamental work of Canarian botany.

1927-1999 - Gran Canaria

Lyric tenor from Gran Canaria, one of the most important opera singers of the 20th century. He triumphed in the most prestigious theatres in the world.

1904-1993 - Gran Canaria

Lawyer and politician from Gran Canaria, first president of the Government of the Canary Islands after autonomy in 1982. He fought for Canarian rights.

1902-1997 - Cuba/Canary Islands

Cuban poetess of Canarian descent, Cervantes Prize 1992. Her paternal grandparents were from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

1979-present - Gran Canaria

Outstanding Spanish tennis player who reached world number 19 in singles and number 25 in doubles.

1969-present - Gran Canaria

Actor born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Oscar winner for "No Country for Old Men". One of the most internationally recognised figures in Spanish cinema.