Lanzarote is a beautiful island with an abundance of natural and historical attractions. There are more than three hundred extinct volcanoes on its territory; it also has architectural monuments of different eras and unique historical sites. Since 1852, the island's capital is the city of Arrecife. Its territory is home to nearly half of island’s population. Travelers will be able to find in a lot of interesting shops and entertainment venues there. With sightseeing point of view the most interesting places are the port area and the fish market next to it.
Speaking of striking historical monuments it’s worth to mention Castillo de san Gabriel completed in 1573. The original building has existed for a brief period; after 13 years, it was severely damaged by fire. By the late 16th century, local architects managed to restore the castle; today it is home to the Archaeological Museum.
A historical monument of the later period is the fortress of San Jose constructed during the reign of Carlos III. It has remained unchanged for over than two hundred years. This fortress also hosts a popular museum with collections of sculptures and paintings, and other art works by contemporary artists. The house-museum of Cesar Manrique is a unique monument of architecture, known far beyond the island. It was built relatively recently, in 1968. Black basalt blocks were used to construct the main building, so the house looks fascinating. It has preserved in original form; in the museum you can see a collection of antique furniture and art, as well as antique interior decoration.
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