Places to visit in Fuerteventura - Dr Menas House

Fuerte Focus: Places to go in Fuerteventura.

In out attempt to get you out and about into the resorts and villages, this month we are taking you to a little known village called Ampuyenta and the home of Fuerteventuras very first doctor. 

An Article by Local Historian, Bernie Power, with The Voice Fuerteventura

If you take the road to Antigua from Puerto Del Rosario, you will pass through the village of Ampuyenta. This is a not busy place but has real history. On your left, as you go into the village, you will notice a big, old two storey house with a bust outside. This is the house of Doctor Mena. It is often overlooked as you pass by, but well worth visiting.

Who was Doctor Mena?

Tomas Antonio Dejan Pedro Mena Mesa was born in the village to poor parents in 1802. They didn’t have much to give him so they gave him lots of names! There were no schools available then, so they sold most of their produce of grain, to send him to Las Palmas to study. He eventually went to university in Seville to study medicine and at just 19 years old, went to stay in Havana in Cuba with his brother Juan Conrado who was a priest there. He arrived with just one shirt and a hanky in his bag. After proving, as was necessary then, that he was pure Spanish - he studied for his bachelor of medicine. 

On receiving it, he went to Paris for 6 years to work and study further. He was called back to Cuba and was instrumental in saving many lives during outbreaks of cholera and yellow fever. Eventually he settled as a professor in Cadiz.

Places to Visit in Fuerteventura - Doctor Mena's House - Museum

In 1847, he returned to Fuerteventura, to live with his mother. This is when he had the big house built. From then, he became the first and only doctor on the whole island. Life had obviously treated him well as he had become so fat that he could only ride a camel. Because of this he insisted that his patients came to him and the service he provided was free. One time however, he managed to aggravate a fierce political opponent, Don Fernando Rugama, who never forgave him. He was called to his death bed and not only cured the man, but as usual, he also refused payment, saying that he had only done his duty. He left Don Fernando alive and well but forever furious. 

Doctor Menas dying wish

Dr Mena died in 1868 and left all his library and medical instruments to a doctor friend. Unfortunately, his books were used as fuel to toast corn by his relatives. With his wealth, which amounted to 25.000. pesetas, an enormous sum back then, he ordered a hospital to be built in Ampuyenta.

This hospital is the grand building that you can see standing proud now - but it took a while to get there!

1872 - Municipality asked to start construction.

1881 - After delays, executors agreed only 10.000. pesetas

1901 - Work began on the foundations.

1907 - Work was stopped due to many technical problems

1929 – Work was restarted, but major repairs were needed.

1931 - Finally it was completed, after 59 years!

The building never became a hospital dedicated to St. Conrado and St. Gaspar, in memory of his brother and grandfather. Instead, it was auctioned off in 1965 for 18.000 pesetas as the council couldn’t afford to use it. It never became an important place and today is occasionally used by the church as a retreat. It is such a good looking building, but just too grand for such a little village. A little village that gave birth to the very first doctor and a great humanitarian who should be remembered and even put up the money for it to be built. Alas, he didn`t get his final wish. 

The house is now a museum, almost a time capsule of a life gone by, with stunning wood furniture, old medical equipment and a glimpse into the past of this influential local man.