Culture of Puerto del Carmen. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Puerto del Carmen is a young resort. The small fishing village of La Tignosa was located in the place of luxury hotels, cafes, and restaurants just half a century ago. It is difficult to say whether the indigenous Canarian tribes lived here before the Spaniards. Despite the fact that the Canary archipelago was subdued without incredibly destructive wars, unlike many other territories, there are few reminders of the indigenous islanders here. It is known that the island was called Tyterogakat in the past, which meant "Red Mountain". Lancelotte Malocello, the Portuguese Navigator sailed here in the 14th century. He supervised the construction of Fort near Teguise. You can see it if you take the bus from Puerto del Carmen. The local Moho tribes, who had inhabited the island since the Neolithic period, were not favorable to the Portuguese. He was exiled from the island. Europeans came here in the 15th century for the second time under the leadership of Jean de Yattekuru. The indigenous inhabitants of the island thought that they could also resist the Spanish conquerors. They started active military operations. The island was eventually conquered. Most of the Moho died or swore allegiance to the Spaniards and went to Spain as slaves. Pirates regularly arrived in Lanzarote because of its close location to Africa. All the remains of the Moho buildings were finally destroyed in the war with them.

The island was depopulated in the 18th century. This was due to a severe drought and a series of eruptions. People decided it was better to try their luck somewhere else. However, the Spaniards returned a few years later. They founded several villages, including La Tinyos. There were no large buildings in a small fishing village in the colonial style. Only the old center and the beautiful port remain of it today. Everyone will be able to see how the unloading of fish takes place in the port. There are always a lot of tourists and local residents here. It seems that life in the port of Puerto del Carmen is not much different from what it was here a century ago.

The historic quarter of the town begins very close to the harbor. Spanish fishermen built their homes in the traditional style here in the past. The old quarter hasn't changed much today. Even the headman's house is still there. However, fishermen have not lived here for several decades. Enterprising businessmen bought the buildings, restored them, and tried to restore the interior. They use fishing houses for shops and restaurants today. All this looks very authentic. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If you want to see the architectural sights, you will have to go outside of Puerto del Carmen. Many interesting places are located about a 10-15-minute drive from the town. For example, fans of painting, architecture, and art should visit the house-museum of Cesar Manrique. It is located in caves near the town. Many architectural styles are intertwined in the design of the building. They are in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. You can also find a Cactus garden, an art gallery, and a small science museum here.

If you have the time and opportunity, you can go to the Casa Museo Monumento del Campesino. This is not just a monument in a modern style and a restaurant but also several dozen ethnographic workshops. If you arrive here in the morning, you will learn how to weave baskets of leaves, weave, bake corn tortillas, make Mojo sauces, and even make clay pots. This is the perfect place to feel like a simple Canarian peasant. If you are interested in local wine-making, visit Bodega La Geria. You can see how grapes are grown on volcanic soils there.

San Jose Castle will appeal to fans of ancient architecture and fans of modern art. The fortress was built in 1779 to protect the island from constant attacks by pirates. The Fort was used for its intended purpose for several decades. However, the need for it disappeared later. This is not only the cultural heritage of Spanish architecture of the 18th century but also the place where the International Museum of Modern Art is located today. A variety of sculptures, geometric abstractions, and kinesthetic art items are included in its exhibition.