Culture of Lanzarote. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

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. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There is also important excursion site in Teguise, Castle of Santa Barbara. This fortification was built in the 14th century and has saved the island from invaders once and again. Today, the ancient castle is home to the Museum of Canarian immigrants. During the visit you will learn a lot about the history of settlement and development of the island. The most important natural landmark of Lanzarote is the Timanfaya National Park located at the heart of the island. Travelers are attracted by mysterious volcanic landscapes of beautiful Fire Mountains.

In Teguise, you will find the Museo Lagomar, one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. This is a mansion built right inside the rock - it seems as if it appears out of the volcanic crater. The history of the museum is even more interesting: The fact is that the villa was built in the '70s by the local architect Cesar Manrique specifically for the Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, however, being an avid gambler, the latter gambled the mansion away. In general, Cesar Manrique whose house is mentioned above actually "built" the whole island - many local buildings were built according to his projects, and particularly this building is considered one of the most brilliant creations of the author.

Another interesting place in Teguise is Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, one of the island's most important shrines. It has two distinguishing features: the first is that the church is visible from anywhere on the island. The second is that the building itself is so original that it is quite difficult to determine its architectural style. The construction of the church dates back to the first half of the 15th century. Subsequently, it has been expanded several times, then burned in 1909 and restored anew. Since Teguise is the ancient capital of the island, here one can discover a lot of other interesting buildings - just take a walk along its main streets.

The unique Museo Atlántico located in Playa Blanca is a must-see point of any sightseeing route. It is an underwater museum, which can be visited as part of a dive group. Inside, you can find magnificent sculptures made in modern Spanish style. It is worth noting that this is one of the few museums in the world located underwater. In Playa Blanca, the castle Castillo de las Coloradas, one of the most ancient buildings on the island, is of special interest - it was built in 1402 with the advent of the first Europeans. Today, the fortress is considered one of the most prominent structures on Lanzarote, which has repeatedly defended the island from pirate attacks.

While in San Bartolome, one should not pass by Bodega El Grifo - Museo del Vino, where one can find wine production machines and learn a lot of interesting facts about how wine is made on Lanzarote. And, of course, local wine can be tasted at the end. The Museum Agricola el Patio operating on the grounds of an old farm is ideal for exploring rural life. Besides getting acquainted with the local culture and history, here you can taste wines, cheeses, and a “cherry on the cake” - cactus jam.

Jameos Del Agua is another creation by Cesar Manrique that must be checked out while on Lanzarote. This is one of the most picturesque areas on the island, which is a park built in a cave with an underground lake inhabited by crabs. Here you can also dine in a chic restaurant, which all fans of unusual places are eager to visit. All fans of natural attractions should think about exploring Jardin de Cactus located in Guatiza. By the way, this is another work of Cesar Manrique who created the perfect composition of cacti blooming almost simultaneously - a truly fascinating sight.