Abandoned Canary Islands Studio, Lost Nobel Prize Papers Highlight Spain’s Forgotten Heritage
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain – A crumbling yellow house in the Canary Islands and the rediscovery of lost belongings of Nobel laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal are bringing renewed attention to Spain’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage. The stories, featured on the podcast Catástrofe Ultravioleta, underscore the challenges of safeguarding historical treasures and the dedication of those working to recover them.
The podcast recently highlighted a little-known piece of scientific history: the abandoned building once housed the world’s first animal research facility. Now facing collapse, the structure stands as a poignant reminder of pioneering work and the fragility of historical sites.
Meanwhile, a remarkable find has captivated the nation. Hundreds of books from the library of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, a Spanish neuroscientist who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1906, along with personal items like his walking stick, top hat, and doctor’s bag, surfaced at flea markets and were being sold at bargain prices.
The circumstances surrounding how such significant artifacts ended up in the hands of secondhand dealers remain unclear, prompting concern about the protection of Spain’s cultural legacy.
Individuals like carpenter Xabier Agote are working to combat this loss. Agote dedicates his time to restoring forgotten pieces of history, including a 16th-century galleon and a Basque whaling ship discovered sunken in Canada. His work exemplifies a grassroots effort to reclaim and preserve Spain’s past.
Catástrofe Ultravioleta, hosted by Antonio Martínez Ron, Javier Peláez, and Javi Álvarez, explores these and other fascinating stories, blending science with compelling narratives and sound design. The podcast, which won an Ondas Award, is known for its unique approach to storytelling and its ability to make complex topics accessible.
The fourth season of Catástrofe Ultravioleta is scheduled to launch in early 2026 on elDiario.es. The podcast aims to connect science with a broad audience through diverse knowledge areas, offering a unique auditory experience.
https://omny.fm/shows/catastrofe-ultravioleta/olvidos/embed?style=cover
The renewed interest in preserving Spanish heritage comes as cultural institutions worldwide grapple with the challenges of protecting historical artifacts and sites in an era of increasing commercialization and neglect. The stories highlighted by Catástrofe Ultravioleta serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding cultural treasures for future generations.