Are you looking for something different in your next vacation? Head to Lanzarote, the most eastern of the Canary Islands, for a beach vacation like no other. Lanzarote boasts 132 miles of coastline. Of those 132 miles, 16 are sandy beaches, and 114 are rocky beaches.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vincentz

 

First mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Lucan, and Ptolemy, this windswept island has an interesting history. Settlers include Phoenicians, Romans, French, Greeks, Arabs, Portuguese, Castilian, Ottomans, and finally the Spanish (Lanzarote is part of the province of Las Palmas). Lanzarote has had many volcanic eruptions over the years; eruptions from 1730-36 destroyed most of the fertile lands and 11 villages. There is much to do on your Lanzarote holiday - lovely beach resorts and all kinds of water sports, of course, but also land sports, arts, culture, music, food, shopping, nightlife, and wineries.

On Lanzarote, you can’t miss the influence of artist and architect César Manrique. Born in Lanzarote in 1919 (a twin!), Manrique fought in the Spanish Civil War, studied architecture at the University of La Laguna, and received a degree from the Art School of San Fernando. Manrique was influential on Lanzarote’s public planning (consider the island his palette) to such a large degree that “It is impossible to imagine Lanzarote as it stands today without César Manrique. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, ecologist, monument preserver, construction advisor, planner of urban developments, outliner of landscapes and gardens.” http://www.cesarmanrique.com/biografia_i.htm

 

 

To Follow the César Manrique Trail in Lanzarote:

 

Stop at his house, Taro de Tahiche, now the Fundacion César Manrique.

This house was built inside 5 volcanic bubbles in 1968. He used the bubbles to create natural living spaces. The location is now the Foundation (since 1992), and is a modern art museum.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Gernot Keller

 

Wikimedia Commons: Alexander Hauck

 

Wikimedia Commons: edub

 

Wikimedia Commons: wollex

 

El Taro de Tahíche by Jordi Payà, on Flickr cc

 

While there, check out the Wind Sculpture Manrique created at Taro de Tahiche.

 

Wikimedia Commons: afrank99

 

Visit the Grotto of the Jameos del Agua

This is a partially collapsed lava tube and cave that is a nightclub, with a concert hall (Auditorio) that can hold up to 600 people. Don’t miss the underground pool, or the bar and restaurant. This is part of the famed Tunnel of Atlantis, the largest underwater volcanic tunnel system in the world. While here, keep an eye out for blind albino crabs (Munidopsis polymorpha). These jameitos are the symbol of Jameos del Agua.

 

Those tiny crabs! Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vassen

 

Concert Hall. Wikimedia Commons: afrank99

 

Wikimedia Commons: hjs fotografie

 

Restaurant in Jameos del Agua. Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vincentz

 

Jameos del Agua sign. Wikimedia Commons: KaHe

 

Take in the viewpoint at Mirador del Rio

Built in 1974, this 475 meter-high escarpment provides lovely views toward the island of La Graciosa. You can also find a bar, café, and souvenir shop.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Vcarceler

 

Wikimedia Commons: afrank99

 

Wikimedia Commons: afrank99

 

Watch your fingers at the Jardín de Cactus

This is a cactus garden Manrique designed to pair art and nature. Located in Guatiza.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Peter Gerstbach

 

Visit the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya

The logo at the entrance (El Diablo) was designed by Manrique.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Montek

You’ll find where to ride camels in the park via this sculpture Manrique made:

 

Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vincentz

 

Visit the Palacio Spinola

Located in Teguise, a charming town with a large Sunday morning market. The Palacio was a renaissance mansion restored and converted into a museum by Manrique. It is currently a Government Official Residence with occasional art exhibitions, but is open to the public Sunday-Friday, closed Saturdays.

 

Casa Museo Palacio Spinola. Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vincentz

 

Explore La Caleta de Famara

This is a small fishing village where Manrique grew up. Wander the streets and beach (it’s the beginning of Playa de Famara, a long white-sand beach), and imagine Manrique’s natural inspirations.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Marc Ryckaert

 

Stop by the village of Mozaga to see the Monumento al Campesino

This monument was designed in 1968 by Manrique, and built by Jesus Soto. In this town, you can also see Casa Museo del Campesino, an old farmhouse that was restored and is now a museum showcasing rural life on Lanzarote.

 

Wikimedia Commons: Frank Härtelt

 

Head to Masdache

Before you enter the village, spot César Manrique’s Monumento al Pájaro Grifo – a large griffin statue that guards the entrance to the Bodega el Grifo, one of Lanzarote’s largest bodegas (wineries). There’s also a museum where you can learn about the history of winemaking on the island.

 

http://www.elgrifo.com/cesar-manrique

 

Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vincentz

 

Check out the beautiful wind sculptures located at various points on the island

 

Wikimedia Commons: Hein.Mück

 

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Wikimedia Commons: Alinea

 

Lastly, pay your respects at his grave, in the cemetery of Haría, Calle Vista del Valle in Haría

 

 

Wikimedia Commons: Frank Vincenz

 

Wikimedia Commons: Alinea

 

 

Learn more at http://www.cesarmanrique.com/