Lercaro triptico

XIX AND XX CENTURIES

THE LERCARO HOUSE

Lercaro House MHT

In the you can learn about the history of Tenerife from the XV to the XX century. The way institutions, society, economy and cultural life evolved in that period.

In this XVI century house you can follow these changes, and find interesting materials.

Up to 1870, there was a lucrative monopoly of cochineal.

It was recollected and sent to Flanders and other European markets. However, when artificial colorings were invented, it disappeared.

Bananas and tomatoes started at the end of the century and continued during the XX century.

From 1852, the islands became a free port, they could trade without intervention of Spain.

Tourism started at the end of XIX, especially British population. Europe economic power and better transport contributed to this development.

During this period, rivalry between Tenerife and Gran Canaria became important. In 1927 the islands were divided in two provinces.

In 1931, The Second Republic, meant more participation of the lower classes in politics. However, it ended up in a civil war, when General Franco overthrew the government in 1936. Franco’s Dictatorship lasted for 40 years. In 1975 this regime was replaced by a Constitutional Monarchy and the Autonomous Communities were created.

Emigration to America was a commonplace for islanders: war and poverty, lack of rain, no properties, crisis of local products. A lot of young men left their homes looking for a better future for them and their families.

This house was built in 1593 by D. Francisco Lercaro de León (he belonged to a Genoese family of traders).

Many Genoese families invested money on the conquest, and then, they moved to the islands: Justiniano, Spinola, Grimaldi, etc, The Lercaro arrived at Gran Canaria in 1550.

D. Francisco married Catalina Justiniani and Justiniani and moved to La Laguna as Lieutenant Governor in 1589.

At the time the Lercaro were a powerful family with lots of land. This enabled them to get important posts in the institutions of the islands. So as not to divide their state, they properties became “mayorazgos” (the oldest son inherited the property).

Important families as the Lercaro, were patrons of different churches and convents. As a result, there are important religious pieces in La Laguna.

Some luxurious carriages used at the time can be seen in the exposition at the back of the courtyard.

Carriage used when the king Alfonso XIII visited the island.

Carmen Nieves Hernández Brito.

4º ESO CLIL PROGRAMME. 15-16

TENERIFE ISLAND

INSTITUTIONS

JOBS AND ACTIVITIES

The first references to the islands can be found in Greek and Latin authors. Myths and legendary creatures appear in them: the islands are mentioned as The Elysian Fields, The Islands of the Ventured, Fortunate Islands, The Garden of the Hesperides, Saint Brendan. The islands' vegetation changed dramatically after the conquest when colonization, agriculture, and new species were introduced. A lot of forested areas disappeared.

If we have a look at Tenerife, it is similar to a pyramid with The Teide at the top. It is a volcanic island which has been formed from continuous eruptions from the Miocene. The island is diverse because mountains create different microclimates; coastal areas in the north are rugged, with high cliffs, and hardly any beaches. Water is scarce, most of it is taken from galleries, wells, and t some reservoirs.

The institutions developed following the Castilian rule: churches, monasteries and the Council were created in the XV century.

Other institutions were established later, The Adelantado, The Royal Audience, The General Captain, The Army, etc.

Many products were imported as local production was insufficient. There weren't many artisans in the island. They often devoted part of their time to farming works too: blacksmiths, carpenters, shoe makers, weavers. Wood, iron, other metals, stones, leather, wool, cotton, silk, mud were used to create new products.

The “gangocheras” were women who walked different villages to sell their products often without shoes and carrying a big basket on their heads.

Carpenters, fishermen, weavers, dressmakers, spinners, etc.

Some entertainment activities were: Canarian wrestling, stick game (very old tribal game), cock fights (Flemish origin XVIII).

CHRISTIANIZATION D. Alonso Fernández de Lugo was empowered by the Catholic Kings to conquer the islands and to give lands and water to the people who had helped him.

Le Canarien, edited in 1630 is one of the most important pieces in the museum. It contains The History of the Conquest of the Canary Islands and a Navigation document from 1629.

Convents and churches were in charge of christianizing the population. Many religious pieces decorated convents, churches and palaces. As a result, today we have interesting religious Flemish pieces from the XVI century in the museum. ”Saint Thomas of Aquinas”, “Melquisedec Offering to Abraham”, “The Last Dinner”.

POPULATION After the conquest it was necessary to find population for the island, as the local population suffered from war, epidemics or slavery. The new settlers were Europeans and African. People from the mainland were the most abundant: Andalusians where the biggest group. Other Europeans who moved to the islands were traders from Florence, Genoese, British, French origin. There were also Africans. Berber and Guinea slaves.

ECONOMY Trade on the islands became important because they were necessary stops on the way to America. In XVI century sugar was the most important product. Genoese and Flemish were in charge. Textiles, metallurgic and ornaments were imported.

It was replaced by wine in XVII century, especially with Britain.

Food and manufactured goods were imported.

Trade with America was also very important, especially in the XVI century, because of the strategic position of the islands to open new routes to America.

In the XVII century wine, liquors, textiles were exported, while cacao, tobacco, dyes, leather were imported. However, in 1680 Portuguese wine replaced Canarian ones in England, and crisis hit the islands again.

MAPS There is a collection of maps of Tenerife by D. Andrés Amat de Tortosa, military engineer 1783., Jean Charles de Borda, maps of Lanzarote and La Gomera ports, and Maps the African coast, Madeira islands, the Canaries in 1777, etc.