La Palma likes to present its ancient cultural treasures within modern architecture. A fine example of this is the circular Museo Arqueológico Benahoarita in Los Llanos de Aridane, that has been imparting knowledge about the island’s indigenous people and their history since 2007. The multimedia exhibition with many animated scenes, replicas, and original finds, gives a detailed picture of the life of the Benahoaritas. The more than 1,000-year-old cave dwelling in the Parque Arqueológico El Tendal in San Juan, that was home to roughly 20 indigenous people over many generations, is also framed by a modern exhibition facility that was only built in 2019.

Museo Arqueológico Benahoarita

Europe’s last silk weaving workshop can be found in El Paso: the Taller de Las Hilanderas. Here, silk weavers give live demonstrations to show how their ancestors produced the precious fabric over 250 years ago. Back then, La Palma was the stronghold of the Canary Island silk production industry with more than 3,000 looms. The silk manufactory still receives many orders today, even from famous brands such as Prada. In 2011, an exhibition area was set up above the workshop showing videos, exhibits, and all sorts of information on the Canary Islands’ silk production. Since then, it has officially become the Museo de la Seda, although it’s always been called that in El Paso.

Las Hilanderas