Spending your holidays in Lanzarote and not crossing the tracks of César Manrique is almost impossible. Not only his visible works are meant, but also his influence on the design of the holiday island. It is thanks to him that there are only a few high-rise buildings on the island, despite mass tourism, large castles are forbidden as well as billboards in bright colors. Instead, there are numerous traditional-style houses that are in harmony with their natural surroundings in terms of shape and color. The most important works of this painter and sculptor should be presented here, and the work of his artistic companions should not go unmentioned.
curriculum vitae
César Manrique was born on April 24, 1919 in Arrecife and grew up there. He often spent his holidays in Caleta de Famara. This place belongs to Teguise, it is located on the northwest coast of the island in the sandy region of El Jable between the foothills of the Timanfaya National Park and the rock face Risco del Famara.
After finishing school, Manrique joined Franco's troops in the Spanish Civil War. In 1939 he returned to the island and began studying in San Cristobal. Later he went after Madridto study painting. In 1964 he moved to New York, where he met some of the greatest contemporary artists.
In 1968 Manrique returned to his home island. It was the time when the island was discovered by the first tourists. Together with his childhood friend Pepin Ramirez Cerdá, who was now president of the island's government, he developed an artistic concept with which it was possible to save the island from some of the sins of the tourism boom. First and foremost, the harmony between nature and art was decisive for him.
This concept can also be seen in the house he is building in Tahiche. In 1982 he founded the Fundación César Manrique. In 1988 he left the house to this foundation and followed suit Haría. On September 25, 1992, César Manrique died in a traffic accident in the immediate vicinity of his foundation. His simple tomb is in the cemetery in Haría. His works can be seen in many places on the island, often wind chimes or other kinetic objects that stand on traffic circles. But some of his works are distinct tourist attractions.
Works in Lanzarote
Taro de Tahiche
Manrique's most important work from a touristic point of view is probably the building of his foundation in the town TahicheThe building appears purely outwardly, named Taro de Tahiche, with its white walls and wooden parts painted green like a normal house. It is in the too Teguise belonging to the village of Tahiche LZ-34 not far from the intersection with the LZ-1. Manrique had it built in 1968. He was given the building site as a gift because the previous owner considered it worthless. In 1988, Manrique from Tahiche followed suit Haría and transferred the house to the one he had founded in 1982 Foundation, endowment. After a redesign, the house was inaugurated in 1992 as the headquarters of the foundation. Soon afterwards, Manrique died in the immediate vicinity of the house as a result of a traffic accident.
- 1 Fundación César Manrique, Taro de Tahiche, Lanzarote. Tel.: 34 928 84 31 38, Email: [email protected]. The foundation has a car park, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop (bookshop).Open: July-Oct 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Nov-June 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun until 3 p.m.
The peculiarity of the house is the basement. It basically consists of five grottos, they were created during the volcanic eruptions of 1730 - 1736 by gas bubbles in the lava. Manrique had these caves connected by corridors. His studio and a seating area were created in the cavities; the planted inner courtyard with swimming pool is a special attraction. The living rooms on the upper floor are used as a museum, drawings and paintings by the artist are exhibited, but also his private collection of paintings.
The largest work of art, at least in terms of surface area, is in the garden of the house, it is a huge abstract mural that has overgrown a bit in recent years due to the lush vegetation.
The foundation has set itself the task of promoting projects in the fields of art, the environment and nature.
Jameos del Agua
A Jameo is a volcanic cave, the ceiling of which has collapsed. Such caves exist in many as Malpaís designated lava fields. The Jameos del Agua are on the road LZ-1 between the localities of Arieta and Órzola. The entrance to the large parking lot is well signposted, the large steel sculpture of a crab shows the way.
- 2 Jameos del Agua. Tel.: 34 928 84 80 20, Fax: 34 928 84 81 23. Appropriate clothing is required for the evening concerts.Open: daily 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Tues, Fri, Sat 7 p.m. - 2 p.m.Price: Admission adults € 8.
Behind the entrance you go down a flight of stairs to the Jameo Chico, in it is a restaurant. Behind it arches an approximately 20 m wide tunnel. In it is a small lake filled with sea water, in it lives a small white crustacean that otherwise only occurs in the sea. Multilingual signs warn not to throw coins into the lake, as the metal destroys the crabs' livelihoods. Unfortunately, not all visitors are able to read. At the end of the short tunnel the path leads upwards, you reach the 100 m long one Jameo Grande. This was designed by Manrique into a basin, on the edges of which there is a lush tropical vegetation. At the end of the jameo there is another cave, which has been designed as a concert hall with excellent acoustics.
Stairs lead up to the House of the volcanoes. In this volcanological museum you will find plenty of information about volcanism and the formation of the island of Lanzarote. On the other side there is a cafeteria and a souvenir shop. Manrique managed to do that Jameos to make it an attractive excursion destination without too much interference with nature.
Cueva de los Verdes
The design of this cave was not done by Manrique, but by Jesús Sotowho often worked with Manrique. The name Los Verdes points to the German word green, but actually meant the name of a family that was related to this cave.
The cave is only 1 km away from the Jameos del Agua. There is a large guarded parking lot next to the entrance. Access to the cave is only possible as part of a guided tour, these usually take place every hour, the language is mostly Spanish and English, other tours on request.
The Cueva de los Verdes is a volcanic cave on the territory of the municipality Haría, it belongs to an approximately 7 km long system, making it the longest volcanic cave in the world. Her ceiling has collapsed in several places and has Jameos educated. These caves served as protection when pirates attacked. In contrast to karst caves, the ceilings of the volcanic caves are waterproof, as a result there are neither large amounts of vegetation nor stalactite formations.
During a guided tour, you go about 1 km deep into the cave, the paths are weak but well lit, and the view is sufficient. Although the lava tunnel is a good 10 m high in several places, there are always passages, especially in the entrance area, where there is a good chance of head injuries. Warnings from the guides in this regard must be observed. You finally reach a room that has seats for concerts, behind which the cave obviously continues, but there is no longer any lighting. The way back is mostly in a second tunnel tube, which is mostly above the other. You can see some connection points, a small pond offers surprising reflections.
The design of the cave was largely limited to the entrance area. The interior of the cave remained largely unchanged. In order to enjoy the natural spectacle, subtle colored lighting was created, which makes this cave a tourist attraction.
Mirador del Rio
In the very north of the island of Lanzarote is the Mirador del Rio. In this case it is with Rio the strait between Lanzarote and the neighboring island La Graciosa meant. The mirador is located on the cliffs of the Famara massif about 475 m above sea level. It was created for completely different reasons: in the 19th century, the Spanish feared that the USA might reach for the Canary Islands after conquering half of Mexico, and so they built an artillery position on these strategically important islands to protect the coast Point, which even on newer maps is sometimes called Bateria is drawn.
The entrance to the Mirador is well signposted and can be reached from Haría about the scenic, but narrow LZ-202 or from Arrieta via the LZ-203.
The Mirador was completely integrated into the landscape by Manrique. It consists of two interconnected domes, the roof of which is covered with earth and stones. A dome is a cafeteria, large panes of glass allow a panoramic view of the islands of the Chinijo archipelagoThe place is good to watch Caleta de Sebo on the island Graciosa. Left and right doors lead to the terrace in front of the window, from here you have a good view of the Salinas on the coast. A staircase leads to the upper floor with a souvenir shop, from here you can also go outside and have a wonderful all-round view.
From the Mirador, several hiking trails lead along the cliffs and down to the Salinas.
Monumento del Campesino
,_1968.jpg/300px-Monumento_del_Campesino_(Fecundidad),_1968.jpg)
If you drive from San Bartolome to the north, you can see a 15 m high figure from afar, the Fertility statue. She stands at the intersection of LZ-20 and the LZ-30: Only on closer inspection do you recognize three figures, they are supposed to represent a farmer who is accompanied by a donkey and a camel. This design by Manrique was made by the Venezuelan artist Jesús Sotowho used empty water tanks as material. The place was chosen with care, it should be the geographical center of the island.
- 5 Casa Monumento al Campesino. Tel.: 34 928 52 01 36, Fax: 34 928 52 09 35. Open: daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., bar (tapas) until 5.45 p.m., restaurant 12 p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
There are houses next to the monument that serve as museums. Their facades are white, the wooden elements are painted green in the typical Manrique style. The exhibits are items of rural life, including a mill and a wine press. There are several fully equipped workshops. This also includes a shop for handicrafts. In the attached museum, emphasis is placed on traditional dishes.
Jardin de Cactus
The Cactus garden is located in the small town Guatizathat by the street LZ-1 between Tahiche and Haría lies. You can't miss it, an 8 m high green cactus sculpture created by Manrique shows the way to the parking lot or to the entrance.
- 6 Jardin de Cactus (Cactus garden) (located on the northern outskirts of Guatiza in the direction of Mala). Tel.: 34 928 52 93 97. Snack bar, souvenir shop.Open: daily 10 am-5:45pm.
The cactus garden is located in an area of the island where the remains of the once widespread opuntia fields can still be found. Here was once the dye Carmine with the help of Cochineal louse won. This dye off Lice blood was used to make lipstick, but it also colored drinks like Campari. The cactus garden was created in a former mining area of Lapilli or, as it is called here, Picón. Over 1,400 species of cacti thrive in the area. Paintings by Manrique hang in the souvenir shop, and on the edge of the cactus garden is an old windmill, which was once a windmill Gofio prepared.
El Diablo restaurant
The restaurant is in the center of the Timanfaya National Park. More precisely, it is located on the top of the "Islote del Hilario". According to legend, Hilario was a hermit who lived here, he had a dromedary as a workhorse, and his fig tree never bore fruit on the hot ground.
- 1 El Diablo (Montañas del Fuego). Tel.: 34 928 17 31 05, 928 84 00 57 (Restaurant). Open: daily from 9 a.m. to 5.45 p.m., restaurant 12 p.m. to 3.30 p.m., drinks bar 9 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.
Islote del Hilario is located above a thermal anomaly. The restaurant's grill is heated from a 6 m deep hole, the temperature on the grill is around 300 ° C. On the other hand, when building the restaurant, great emphasis had to be placed on good insulation and the use of fire-resistant materials. The restaurant is a rotunda with large panoramic windows, in memory of the hermit Hilario is the trunk of a fig tree and part of a dromedary skeleton in its center. Affiliated is a souvenir shop.
Manrique's longtime artist colleague Jesús Soto was also involved in the design of the national park.
Castillo de San José (MIAC)
The Castillo de San José in Arrecife was built between 1776 and 1779, it was actually a job creation measure for the people in need after the volcanic eruptions. It then served as an ammunition depot until 1890, after which it was left to decay. In 1979 the building was renovated and redesigned under the direction of Manrique, since then it has served as the Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo Museum, short MIAC.
There is a restaurant in a modern extension, it is open from 1pm to 3.45pm and from 7.30pm to 11pm. Appropriate clothing is recommended when visiting the museum and the restaurant (no shorts).
Other works
Lag-O-Mar
The property includes Omar Sharif's house, a restaurant and two guest houses that can be rented. It is in the small town of Nazaret not far from Teguise. The entrance is signposted.
To anticipate: this impressive building was Not Erected by Manrique, although it is often ascribed to him. It always has its own style, and it is one of the few houses of this style that is open to the public. Also the description House of Omar Sharif is only effective for advertising. The house is still worth seeing, and that's why it was included here.
- 8 Lag-O-Mar (House of Omar Sharif) (in a former quarry in Nazareth, Teguise). Tel.: 34 928 940 064. The museum is accessible through the restaurant, adult entry € 5.Open: Restaurant Tue-Sat 12 p.m.-midnight, Sun 12 p.m.-6 p.m., reservations tel. 928 845 665.
The house was built under the direction of Jesús Soto, who realized several projects together with Manrique. The actor Omar Sharif made the film "Ruler of a Sunken World" (=> Jules Verne, Captain Nemo), took a liking to this house and bought it. He lost it in a bridge game before moving into the house. For a few years the house belonged to a real estate agent, then it was owned by a German architect who expanded it with a restaurant in 1997 and opened it to the public as a museum. The house has also repeatedly served as a film set (=> Peter Ustinov, Horst Franck, the television series "Timm Thaler").
The house is built in a former quarry and extends over several floors. The entrance to the garden is by the restaurant. The path leads past the pool to a staircase. A bar with grill is integrated in a cave, which is used by the restaurant. Further up you get to the living rooms of the house, they are not particularly large, but stylishly furnished with furniture from the 1970s. A room is a playroom, it shows Omar Sharif in his fateful passion. At the top is a bedroom, from a small rock terrace you have a wonderful view over the village.
Special emphasis was also placed on the planting, which matches the style of the building. A special feature can be found on the path towards the exit: it leads through a tunnel about 30 cm high, filled with water, the path leads over stone slabs that protrude from the water.
Other works of art in Lanzarote
- La Mareta, Costa Teguise. The palace is fully integrated into the environment. Manrique designed it for King Hussein of Jordan, it is not open to the public.
- hotel Las Salinas. Manrique designed the outdoor facilities for the hotel, which opened in 1977.
- restaurant La Era in Yaiza
- Sculptures. Manrique saw himself as a painter and sculptor. He created several sculptures, they decorate the islands of roundabouts. Most of them are designed as greyhounds, which proves his love for kinetic art.
Works outside of Lanzarote
Manrique's work was not limited to his home island of Lanzarote. He was also active in other Canary Islands as well as in other areas of Spain:
- Lago Martiánez, sea swimming pools in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
- La Vaguada, shopping center in Madrid
- Collaboration on the Mediterranean Park in Ceuta
- La Peña, viewpoint on El Hierro
- Mirador del Palmerejeo, viewpoint on La Gomera
- Restaurant at Antigua, FuerteventuraCurrently closed (Nov. 2012)
Practical advice
The duration of the visit to most of these sights can be estimated at around 1-2 hours. The entrance fee for adults (Nov. 2012) is 8 € for most of these attractions. From this point of view, they appear relatively high. However, it is possible to purchase a collective ticket. A ticket for Cueva de los Verdes, Jameos del Agua, Jardin de Cactus and the Timanfaya National Park will then cost € 26 instead of € 32, and the Mirador del Rio and the MIAC Museum in Arrecife are included for € 30. These cards are valid for 7 days. Current prices and possible combinations see here:
- Centros de Arte, Cultura Y Turismo. Tel.: 34 928 801 500 Ext. 120 (up to Ext. 123).
There are several bus companies that offer tours to these and other destinations on Lanzarote. When you rent a vehicle, you have the option of customizing the time frame and the viewing program. Two days can be recommended as a recommendation:
- North of the island: drive to the Monumento al Campesino, continue across Haría to the Mirador del Rio, then to one of the caves and the cactus garden, possibly Arrecife.
- South of the island: The absolute highlight is the Timanfaya National Park. One should use the visitor center at Tindaya do not forget.
literature
- Baedeker (Ed.): Lanzarote. Ostfildern, ISBN 978-3-8297-1293-4 , P. 194.
- : Lanzarote. Fuerteventura: RAI, 2008 (4th edition), ISBN 84-922057-5-X (1999–2008), ISBN 978-84-92829-23-1 (2014); 126 pages (German). Available in souvenir shops and supermarkets in Lanzarote
