Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós

The Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós occupies the 19th-century house on Calle Cano in the Triana district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, where the novelist Benito Pérez Galdós was born in 1843. Galdós left the island for Madrid as a young man and became one of the major figures of Spanish literature, best known for the cycle of historical novels called the Episodios Nacionales and for works such as Fortunata y Jacinta. The house reflects the middle-class Canarian domestic architecture of the period, with a central patio, wooden balconies, tiled floors and period furnishings. It was converted into a museum in the 20th century and is run by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria as the Casa-Museo and archive dedicated to the writer. The collection includes first editions, manuscripts and letters, personal belongings, portraits and photographs, along with furniture and objects arranged to evoke the family home. Rooms are presented in a broadly thematic way, covering his childhood, his life in Madrid, his literary output, his theatre work and his political engagement. The museum also holds a library and research material for scholars, and organises temporary exhibitions and literary events. The building has been restored to protect its structure and original details, and the displays have been updated over time to reflect new scholarship. The house is small, so a visit is quick and intimate, and it is within easy walking distance of the Teatro Pérez Galdós and the Vegueta district. Hours are limited, typically with a morning and an afternoon session on weekdays, and admission is free or inexpensive. Visitors with Spanish will get the most from the written material, though basic information is often available in English.