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César
Manrique
The "Father of Lanzarote"
No other individual matches César
Manrique´s influence on Lanzarote. He was an artist,
an architect, construction advisor, and conservationist...
and was responsible for shaping the island and preparing
it for tourism.
César Manrique was born on April
24th, 1919, in Arrecife. In 1934, his father bought a substantial
plot of land in Caleta de Famara and built a house next
to the ocean. The house and its beautiful surroundings left
a visible, lifelong impression on the artist.
Manrique went to Madrid in 1945 to take
a scholarship place at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
He later became Professor of Art at the academy and also
started working as an artist, especially while living in
New York for two years.
Manrique returned to Lanzarote in 1968 and
his influence in the island's development can be seen everywhere.
In fact, it is impossible to imagine Lanzarote as it stands
today without César Manrique.
He is particularly known for his ability
to combine nature with his own creativity. Unfortunately,
Manrique died in a traffic accident in Lanzarote in 1992.
THE César Manrique Foundation is
the island's cultural centre housing many works of art created
by the man himself as well as his own art collection by
some of the world's most prestigious artists including Picasso,
Miró, Chillida and Klee.
It was his greatest desire that his own
love of nature and dedication to conserving the beauty of
the planet reached as many people as possible and the Foundation
is there to educate young and old about the environment,
ecology and conservation.
César Manrique Foundation
Tel 928 843138
Open Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00
Ed's Opinion: A
very informative place and well worth a visit if you are
interested in art, architecture, conservation or the history
of Lanzarote. Children may find it interesting, as it is
a house like no other. The building is on different levels
so not ideal for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
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The
Fire Mountains
TIMANFAYA NATIONAL PARK is the largest volcanic region in
the whole of the Canary Islands. It covers approximately 200
square kilometres and occupies the central-western section
of Lanzarote.
THE park is made up of the
32 volcanoes that rose up in 1732 to start the beginning of
one of the world's greatest volcanic holocaust.
Tour
of the Mountains
Visitors can take a coach trip around the Fire Mountains to
discover more about the incredible history of the eruptions.
The coach driver will take you for a slow drive around the
stunning mountains untouched since the eruptions of the 18th
Century apart from the road built to accommodate the coaches.
A recorded commentary (in
Spanish, English and German) tells the story of the eruptions
including the first-hand account of the parish priest of Yaiza
who recorded his observations in a diary.
Demonstrations
After the coach trip, guides demonstrate the fact that the
earth still retains a temperature of up to 400 degrees centigrade
- they throw a bucket of cold water into a hole in the ground
and an enormous geyser of steam shoots out within five seconds
(the noise alone makes you jump!) Also, they demonstrate the
heat by scraping some small stones from the ground and offering
them to visitors - who are shocked to find that the stones
are hot.
The restaurant, El Diablo,
serves chicken on a natural "barbeque".
Camel
Rides
This desert safari is a must for the whole family.
Situated in the National Park
(keep driving past the main gates to Fire Mountains or look
for them on your left if approaching from Playa Blanca), the
convoy of camels takes visitors for a 15-minute trek around
a hill. It is fun from start to finish and usually has everyone
in fits of giggles as they hold on for dear life while the
imposing creatures stand up with their passengers on-board.
Children love it and you will
get some great shots for the holiday album.
Timanfaya National
Park
Open every day 09:00 - 18:00
(Last coach trip leaves 17:00)
Restaurant 12:00-17:30
Ed's
Opinion: A trip around
Fire Mountain gives you a real feel for the history of Lanzarote
and a better understanding of the island's landscape and cultures
today. Kids may find the coach trip a little tiresome but
will love the demonstrations afterwards (the steam geyser
and hot stones). The car park starts at the bottom of a steep
hill and goes up so if you have difficulty walking try to
park close to the coaches at the top.
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Cueva
de los Verdes
A refuge from the pirates!
The Green Caves are a bit of a journey back
through time to the days when they were the ideal refuge
from invading pirates!
The caves, one of the longest volcanic galleries
in the world at 6km long, provided excellent defence as
it was completely impenetrable to any form of weapon making
it a perfect fortress.
This attraction is not ideal for anyone
who isn't reasonably fit and healthy as it is necessary
to climb several stairs and bend over in order to get under
many low recesses. Also, it is impossible to take a pushchair
into the caves.
All visitors join a guided tour, given in
both English and Spanish, to go through the caves. The group,
usually about 30 people, must stay together and be lead
by the tour guide as there are some fairly dangerous drops
to be made aware of and the lighting inside is pretty dim.
During the walk through the cave, lasting
about 60 minutes, the visitor hears about people who used
to inhabit the area thousands of years ago and it is incredible
to believe that people once lived in the caves...
Cuevas de los Verdes
Tel 928 173220
Open every day 10:00-18:00 (Last tour starts at 17:00)
Ed´s
Opinion: This attraction
is something to really get your teeth into. It involves
an in-depth look at the caves and an interesting commentary
about the past. Kids will enjoy the adventure (make sure
they stay close to you as there are some dangerous spots
throughout the caves). Toddlers will have to be carried,
as this is a definite no-no for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
No café or bar here, so come prepared. There is a
surprise element to this tour... but mum's the word!
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Jameos
del Agua
Take a walk through these
enchanting caves
Jameos del Agua is a cave with a difference.
We are not talking dark and eerie tunnel with nothing interesting
to look at - we are talking enchanting, mystical, magical...
Jameos del Agua was formed through a volcanic
eruption that took place more than 3000 years ago from Mount
Corona to the north of the island. The Jameos (which translates
as "bowel" or "hollow") was created
as a result of a formation of gas explosions within a volcanic
bubble. Over the years, seawater flooded the tunnels until
eventually a lagoon was left behind.
The lagoon is the home of thousands of tiny
white crabs that have become blind through many years of
living in poor light.
There is a bar and restaurant at Jameos
del Agua - and even a nightclub three times a week!
Jameos del Agua
Tel: 928 848020
Open every day - 09:30-19:00
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday nightclub - 19:00-03:00
Ed´s
Opinion: Jameos del Agua
is a place I have visited several times but it never ceases
to amaze me. It is like nothing I have ever seen before
and I would recommend it as a fascinating place of interest
to visit. Children love getting close to the lagoon and
having a good look at the little crabs. Not suitable for
pushchairs and wheelchairs as there are several steep steps
to negotiate and a very bumpy, narrow path leads you through
the cave.
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Mirador
del Rio
A breathtaking view
MIRADOR del Rio is a unique lookout point
across to a small inhabited island, La Graciosa and two
tiny islets, Montaña Clara and Alegranza.
César Manrique excavated an opening
in the top of a mountain in Yé, Haria, and created
an indoor observation terrace and café so that people
could come and enjoy the wonderful views in comfort.
It is advisable to visit on a clear day
to ensure that you get the best possible view - and you
will certainly not be disappointed. Mirador del Rio is one
place you should not miss when in Lanzarote.
There are stairs leading to higher terraces
(not for the faint-hearted!) where the view of the sea and
the smaller islands is truly amazing - you have to see it
to believe it.
Mirador del Rio
Open every day - 10:00-18.00
Ed´s
Opinion: This is a fabulous
place for the whole family to visit. The view is truly wonderful
and kids will love looking at La Graciosa through the telescope
(a small charge is payable). If mobility is limited, the
view can be enjoyed from inside. The café serves
drinks and snacks only so don't plan your lunch around Mirador
del Rio.
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Casa
Museo y Monumento al Campesino
(The House and Monument to
the Farm Labourer)
Designed by César Manrique and constructed
by J. Soto in 1968, the Monumento al Campesino stands just
before Mozaga in the centre of the island. Beside it, the
Casa Museo al Campesino (House and Museum) is a museum, shop
and restaurant serving typical Canarian dishes.
The Museum and Monument were built as a tribute
to the local farmers and their way of life. Over the centuries,
the farmers have developed a unique method of cultivation
in an arid environment.
The sculpture is composed of former water
tanks, wrecked fishing boats and cutters and depicts the farmer
with his cattle.
The Restaurant serves traditional Canarian
food and the Gift Shop sells local Crafts including the local
pottery, which is still made using traditional techniques
- on a potter's wheel and fired in an open fire.
Ed´s
Opinion: The Monument is
something you will come across as you drive through the island
rather than something to make a point of going to. It is one
of many large mobiles that you will see at various junctions.
The restaurant is good for snacks and light lunches.
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Jardin
de Cactus
A spectacular plantation of more
than 1,400 cacti
More than 1,400 different
species adding up to a total of about 10,000 cacti from all
over the world have been planted together in a small area
of land to create the beautiful Cactus Garden.
Set on different levels, the
cacti together form a sea of green that is stunning and provides
an opportunity for some wonderful holiday snaps. There is
also a restored windmill to walk around, the top floor offering
wonderful views of the garden and the surrounding villages.
When you are approaching the
garden, don't be fooled by the giant cactus at the entrance;
although it looks like the real thing from a short distance,
it is actually made of metal (you can tell by the rust!)
The Cactus Garden
Tel 928 529397
Open 10.00-18.00
Bar and Café open 10.00-17.00
Ed´s
Opinion: The Cactus Garden is a definite must-see for gardeners
- if you love flora, you will love this place. Children will
also enjoy looking at the spectacular cacti - many of which
are several feet tall - and going into the windmill. Although
the garden can be viewed from different levels it can be enjoyed
just as much on ground level only so no problem for pushchairs
and wheelchairs.
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Castillo
de San Jose
An ancient castle in Arrecife housing
The Contemporary Art Museum.
Castillo de San José, was built between
1776-1779 during the rule of King Carlos III. It is directly
opposite the harbour and today houses a contemporary art
exhibition. It is said that the king ordered the construction
of the castle to create work for many of Lanzarote´s
long-suffering and starving people - and for this reason
the castle became known as the Fortaleza del Hambre (Hunger
Fortress).
The Museum of Contemporary Art was another
of César Manrique´s creations. It opened in
the 1970´s with a collection of art featuring works
by some of the world´s greatest artists such as Picasso,
Bacon, Miró and, of course, Manrique himself.
The castle also has a restaurant with floor
to ceiling windows offering wonderful views of the harbour.
Open daily
Gallery 11:00-21:00
Bar 11:00-01:00
Restaurant: 13:00-16:00 & 20:00-23:30
Ed´s
Opinion: The castle is
of historical interest for those wanting to learn about
the heritage of Lanzarote. The restaurant serves good local
and international cuisine and the art exhibition is always
one of the best on the island. Well worth a visit.
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