The deputy for Lanzarote and La Graciosa, Marcos Bergaz (PSOE), demanded this Friday in the parliamentary committee of Universities, Science and Innovation and Culture the opening to the public of the historic Casa Torres, located in La Villa de Teguise.
During the session, Bergaz asked the Minister of Culture of the Government of the Canary Islands, Migdalia Machín (CC), about the pending actions for this property, located in the heart of the historic complex of the Villa and acquired by the previous regional Executive presided over by Ángel Víctor Torres, to be able to open its doors to the public.
“We are eager for neighbors and visitors to be able to enjoy this architectural gem,” the deputy pointed out, who is also socialist spokesperson in the Teguise City Council.
Bergaz recalled that, just as the Government of the Canary Islands justified at the time of its acquisition, Casa Torres constitutes “one of the best examples of an 18th-century Lanzarote urban stately home.”
The parliamentarian stressed that the counselor herself announced in parliament that the transfer of the property to the Cabildo, a fundamental step for its opening as a museum space, would be formalized on October 17, 2025, “however, this February they reply to me in writing from her department that is unformalized, as the Cabildo is still evaluating and studying the Transfer Agreement”.
“Beyond whether it has been formalized or not, the truth is that the citizenry still cannot visit this property three years after its acquisition”, he/she lamented.
Therefore, Bergaz urged the autonomous Government and Cabildo to complete the transfer, rehabilitation, and opening of the property. “We believe in an active historical heritage at the service of residents and tourists, especially when we talk about the historical complex of La Villa and one of its most outstanding pieces,” he affirmed.
In her response, councilor Migdalia Machín conveyed that as far as her department is concerned the work is done, “we signed the Agreement, the internal process that the Cabildo has will be a matter they will have to answer for, obviously I recognize your concern and I have been insisting,” she indicated.
In her turn to reply, Bergaz asked the counselor for a definitive solution. “We are talking about two administrations governed by the same people, and let it be clear that it is not about assigning blame, but about the citizens being able to enjoy this property and take advantage of the enormous potential of Teguise's historical heritage, I urge you to do so,” she concluded.
An emblematic property
The Torres House, declared a Property of Cultural Interest in 2025, was built in the 18th century and is part of the Architectural Catalogue of the General Urban Planning Plan of Teguise with a degree of integral protection.
Its main facade is located on Nueva street in Teguise, a few meters from Spínola Palace. The property has a built area of 683 square meters distributed over two floors, in addition to a basement and central patio, on a plot of 455 square meters.
The dwelling belonged to the priest Bartolomé Torres and constitutes one of the most relevant and best preserved examples of a Lanzarotean urban stately home, fully integrated into the Historic Quarter of Teguise.
