The Casa de
la Aduana
was erected in 1620 by the Franchy family, at a time when Puerto de la Cruz was
beginning to attract rich and powerful trading elite of mainly Portuguese, English,
French and Catalan origins. The local oligarchy was very much interested in
controlling the expansion process and especially the port which
would be the main departure point for their products, in particular Malmsey
wine.
The building was an architectural complex that included the Battery of St. Barbara, the former Royal Customs warehouse and the living quarters of the Prieto-Alfaro family. The house was leased to the Treasury for use by the customs and as a residence for the administrators until 1833, when it passed to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. |
The Casa de la Aduana has been put to a variety of uses. It was original used as a tollhouse to ensure the compliance of rules and regulations of passage, but this was not its only fate. It also housed the British Consulate. The building shared the most passionate moments in the local history of Puerto de la Cruz, featuring at the center of festivities, political conspiracy, dubious commercial transactions, games, social affairs and gatherings, concerts and scandalous elopements involving ladies of high society.
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