The museum houses the world's most extensive collection of remains belonging to the Guanche culture, the indigenous people of Tenerife.
The building itself was formerly the Civil Hospital of Our Lady of Sorrows and retains a protected historical neoclassical facade.
The museum uses sophisticated climate-control technology to preserve mummified remains, which is the cornerstone of its conservation research.
The collections include rare specimens of volcanic rocks and endemic plant species exclusive to the Macaronesian islands.
The museum complex integrates three distinct buildings, with the main structure built around a traditional Canarian patio.
The Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) is housed in the former Civil Hospital, a 1740s neoclassical building in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is the primary repository for the cultural and biological heritage of the Canary Islands. The collection features a significant array of Guanche mummies and archaeological remains from the island's indigenous inhabitants. The natural history section documents the volcanic origins, flora, and fauna unique to the Macaronesian region. Visitors traverse a central courtyard typical of colonial architecture while moving between exhibition wings. It functions as a research institution managed by the Autonomous Organism of Museums and Centres. The institution actively conducts studies on bioanthropology and terrestrial ecology.
The central neoclassical courtyard, which provides a symmetrical view of the traditional architecture and galleries.
Focus your visit on the ground floor for the most significant archaeological artifacts before heading to the upper floors for natural science displays.
Make use of the on-site library if you require deep research access to their collection archives.
Check the temporary exhibition calendar, as the museum frequently hosts rotating displays on contemporary local archaeology.
Do not rush through the archaeological wing, as the small signage contains the most crucial context for understanding the island's pre-Hispanic history.
Open daily, but typically closed on major public holidays; check the website for specific holiday closures.
Maintain a quiet volume and do not touch displays; photography is permitted but flash must be disabled, especially near sensitive mummified remains.
