Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions occupies 700 m² in the beautifully restored 'La Lucha' tobacco factory from 1928, designed by architect Antonio Pintor in an eclectic style. For over three decades the factory was a pillar of the Canarian tobacco industry, until it closed in 1962. The museum opened here in 2024, blending the building's industrial history with the world of illusions: on the ground floor, original elements are preserved: floor fragments, columns, old cigar boxes and prizes once included in cigarette packets.

The museum is spread over two floors. The ground floor opens with the historical context of the building and early inventions: Chinese magic crystals, zoetropes and a praxinoscope from the 19th century, the first devices for viewing moving images. The upper floor is the heart of the exhibition with classic optical illusions: an upside-down room, an Ames room with a giant/miniature effect, mirrors and perspective distortions of scale. These are complemented by interactive video projections featuring works by Van Gogh and Dalí, a light-drawing station, a Spectral Light coloured-shadow exhibit and hands-on installations from physics and optics. The exhibition changes every year.

What sets this museum apart from others: an active staff who help visitors position themselves for the perfect photo at each exhibit and explain the science behind each illusion. This rare approach is praised by every reviewer. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible: visitors with disabilities pay half price, and a carer enters free.

The highlight is 'El Sendero de los Angeles' (Path of the Angels): a 23-minute immersive VR experience inspired by the paintings of Lithuanian artist M.K. Čiurlionis. It premiered at the 75th Venice Film Festival, won the Lumen Prize for art and technology and has been seen by over 400,000 viewers worldwide. Unlike the energetic main exhibition, the VR is a calm, meditative experience. It is worth booking separately by phone or email, as places are limited.