Santa Barbara Castle

Santa Barbara Castle is located on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Spain, near the town of Teguise. The site originally featured a tower built by the Genoese explorer Lanzarotto Malocello, who arrived around 1291 or 1312. Malocello is credited with rediscovering the Canary Islands and naming Lanzarote. He constructed a tower near the current castle’s location on the edge of the Guanapay volcano crater.

The indigenous Guanche people resisted foreign control, and about twenty years after Malocello’s arrival, they expelled him. Following his departure, the original tower fell into disuse and was left in ruins. In 1402, the Norman conqueror Jean de Béthencourt found the remains of this early fortification during his expedition to the island.

Starting in 1571, new defensive towers with a rhomboid plan were constructed on the site. In 1588, the current castle was designed by Leonardo Torriani under the orders of King Philip II of Spain. Later, the fortress was reinforced by Agustín de Herrera y Rojas to strengthen its defenses. After losing its military importance, the castle was abandoned for a time.

Restoration efforts began in 1960, led by the association “Amigos de los Castillos,” and continued in 1977 under the Spanish government. Today, the castle serves as the Museum of Piracy, preserving its historical legacy.