JARDÍN DE CACTUS

“Perfectly adapted to the most desperate natural habitat, cacti lead an uninhibited morphological existence, if it can be express that way”

Lanzarote. At the Heart of the World. Michel Houellebecq, 2000

The Cactus Garden was the last work of César Manrique, finished in Lanzarote in 1991. In 1973 the artist had already restored the mill that ornaments the limits of the Centre, with the idea of changing some semiburied volcanic monoliths into the main sculptures of a beautiful garden. And a garden on the island could only be made fo cactuses.

On the other hand, The Cactus Garden is an excellent example of how to recover a deterioated space because it was built on an old quarry of volcanic ashes extraction, also knows as “rofe” or “picón” and use by the peasant of Lanzarote to cover the crops and keep the night humidity. This spectacular “botanical garden” contains different species, whose origin is found in America, Madagascar and Canary Islands.

César covered the semi circular ground plan with stone walls and created a sort of amphitheatre where one can admire the different cactuses perfectly identified with small tags. All this is completed with an old restored, white washed mill, that shows inside the processing of “millo” flour, well known in Canary Island as “gofio” and used from time inmmemorial on the Islands.

From the building point of view, the most remarkable part of the garden in its access, a space that prevents a parcial view of the garden but in all its magnificence after passing a small labyrinth of bends. Thus, the visitor gets a wonderful surprise when in front of him appers an imposing spectable of the stone amphitheatre, vegetation and water. A huge metal cactus of eight metres of height and bright green, shows the arrival to the tourist centre.

The garden itself is surrounded by a sea of cactuses. The area of Guatiza and Mala is the centre of “cochinilla” cultivation on the island. The “cochinilla” is an insect whose female lives as a parasite in a kind of cactus known as “tunera”. From the larvae, hand collected, a natural dye, the carmine, used in the textile and cosmetic industries is obtained. This was specially appreciated in the old times, before the discovering of artificial colourings.

Jardin de catus: http://www.turismolanzarote.com/en/centros-turisticos/jardin-de-cactus-cactus-garden/5455

Lanzarote, magnetism of the unusual

Lanzarote’s amazing and rare beauty keeps disconcerting all who have visited the island since the beginning of its existence. A tour across the ” Island of Fire” transfers the traveller to different universes, where the solitude of the volcanic cones dressed in ochre and violet, and the uneven hues of hte ground prevents comparisons or finding any likeness to what was known before.

An environment whose protection and intact conservation is a goal for all the inhabitants of this planet who appreciate nature’s beauty. Lead by this spirit and thanks to the conservation labour of a people that learned to live in communion with Earth, 1993 Lanzarote was declared by the UNESCO “Reserve of the Biosphere”.

Take your time and let the eye roam over lunar plains, and over vines arranged in a marvellous amphitheatre of green, black and purple horizons nestling in the skirt of the volcano.

Volcanos, always volcanos, the masters of the territories which they gave birth to, watching from their dread inspiring and sleeping domes over the quiet life of Lanzarote’s people.

The traveller will find it restful to comtemplate the undpredictable physiognomy of an uninterrupted and privileged coast line, where wind and water have indulged in creating exceptional landscapes worthy of respect and tender care.

Lanzarote, Nature in full attire

In Lanzarote you will find a large variety of tourist attractions, whose visit is almost compulsory if you wish to enjoy your stay on this island and meanwhile enrich yourself.

Cultural entertainment has been structured by the Council of Lanzarote’s Centre for Art and Culture under seven indescribably attractive designs. A unit of scenic, customary and natural landmarks whose visit is never disappointing.

In the north “Los Jameos del Agua” and “La Cueva de los Verdes” unite unusual rough volcanic tracks with the most exquisite art, integrating colours, textures, forms, animal species and plants, as genuine as they ar surprising.

Continuing on our way and at the most northern end we shall find the “Mirador del Río”. a privileged place allowing vast views over the ocean and the “Chinijo” Archipelago. Nature undoubtedly skilfully improvised this balcony at the service of mankind.

The descent to the South, where the mild climate allows to cover one of our planet’s most astonishing journey is a must: The visit to the Fire Mountains. The National Park Timanfaya is a monument to the volcanic immensity from which the Island surged. Surrounded by cones and dross, lava and ashes the traveller will discover the power of nature’s strength and inscrutability.

There still are places to visit, such as the essential enounter with the past of a people who converted a waste land into riches: we shall find it at the “Casa del Campesino” or a such unsprecedented agricultural landscapes as ” El Jardín de Cactus” or ” La Geria”, a place that deserves and receives a more extensive treatment in this guide book, on the following pages.

” El Castillo de San José”, remote remains of a history of conquest, shelters in its halls and under its battlements pieces of modern art which will help us return to present times easily escaped from while touring the Island of Lanzarote.

Yaiza, colour of the fire

Situated next to the National Park of Timanfaya, is one of the biggest and more beautiful  municipalities of the island.

Yaiza has many attractive and landscapes to tempt travellers. In this territory are situated some villages of singular especial importance. One of them, is the historic village of Femes, there you will find the church of San Marcial de Rubicón, Patron Saint of the island of Lanzarote. In 1.404, San Marcial de Rubicón village was the first european town in the Canarian Archipelago.

The villages of yaiza municipality, fascinate with this historic buildings, beautiful houses of tradicional architecture, agricultural land and salt pans, such as the famous salt pans of Janubio.

In a landscape distinct with its volcanic cones, fields of volcanic cinders and beds of lava, are two other important tourist villages by the sea, with modern and luxurious facilities in the resort of Puerto Calero and Playa Blanca. These places have got all the caharacteristics as first class destination, that include such as among others facilities, a marina, wellness centers or talasoterapia and wide range of tourist comlex with several areas of entertainment.

Staying in the south is an exclusive experience of calm tranquility which all visitor from any country fall in love with.

Large, golden, paradiselike beaches, for example Papagayo Beach, with endless walks on the promenade of the sea-board or the delicious tasting of the seafood and traditional cousine, make Yaiza one of the most prestigious destinations anywhere in the world.

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Lanzarote, earth, air, fire and water

Lanzarote is an island within the heart of the Atlantic Ocean whose people have created a privileged home of lava and ashes.

According to the legend the Canarian Archipelago is none other but the remains of the ancient and sublime civilisation that dwelt on a continent where the highest and most generous expressions of nature and humanity flourished: The Atlantis.

Lanzarote, this suggestive painting made of fire and salt, support this belief.

Situated on the most northern latitude, surrounded by a kind ocean tamely gambolling on its beaches and crowned by volcanic peaks, the island offers a survey of ochre tones and genuine intensities, capable of seducing the most indifferent observer.

Every single day the everlasting spring blesses the skies of Lanzarote with hues of blue, and its nights are tinted by the clear light of a radiant moon.

Sand stretches, dunes and marinas dot the coast line in white, gold and jet black. Place to rest under the kindness of a splendid sun, caught up in the rhythmic transformation of life on the Fortunate Island.

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Mirador del Río

César Manrique designed the “Mirador del Río” in 1973, together with Je´sus Soto and the architecht Eduardo Cáceres, which was considered at the time an architechtural work of great value and Interest. This work was not easy. Although the building is apparenty excavated on the rock, the truth is that it is coverded by it, in a way of covering and integrating it into the enviroment, respecting Manrique’s philosophy.

To the North of the island, 600 metres of height right in front of the Famara cliff, one can see the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean, stiched by the island “LA GRACIOSA” and the group of islets Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roques del Este and Oeste, which have been declared Seacost Reserve. A privileged spot to admire this spectacular view is “Mirador del Río” a small glass and rock building perfecty integrated on the side of a volcano. In front of the mirador, the views to the sea arm that separates Lanzarote and the eighth islands, named el Río (The river), are excellent, as well as the views to the Hight Cliffs of “Famara” or “Las Salinas”, which are abandoned nowaday. According to history, it was here and during the Cuban War when a battery was installed a the end of last century.

The Mirador offers a great variety of spots to observe the landscape due to its large circular window inside the building overlooking the sea; from the interior corridor that surrounds the building and from the upper terrace that crowns it. The accesss is through a spiral staircase with rubble work and wooden steps. The inside of the building is another attraction of this tourist centre. The access has a form of labyrinth because César Manrique was very fond of them as he could surprise the visitors with the magnificient spectacle of an open and impressive sea. From the ceiling hang two sculptures with an inverted bulb shape made with metal ribs twisted in spiral and bends that end in fine plates of the same metal.

The beauty of the Mirador is in its apparent simplicity, in the use of circular, curve or elliptical shapes, that hide a great technical complexity. César Manrique built two other miradors in “La Gomera” and “El Hierro” and the the three of them are considered perfect architectural works.

St. Juan’s Night in Haria

It is a deep rooted custom in Lanzarote, to celebrate the evening before St. Juan’s day, The original inhabitants of Lanzarote, called mahos, used to go to the beaches to carry out different ceremonies with fire and water, in this way thanking the gods for the fruits of the earth. This custom evolved over the years, so that now on the 24th of June villagers set fire to their fonfires to drive away bad harvest and diseases.

Traditionally, a bonfire was made on every hill surrounding the village and a large one in the center of it. Nowadays the neighbors gather around the large one, where they burn the facundo, a rag doll, thus symbolizing the alienation of the bad.

Apart from saluting the summer solstice with bonfires, barbecues, dancing and burning of the facundo, the St. Juan’s Fiesta is also a very religious celebration.

The statue of John the Baptist is worshiped in this chapel in the evening and later on accompanied to the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church, where a religious service is held. The devotion to the northerners is made evident by the fact that the only Museum of Sacred Arts on the island is situated in their village.

Source: Visit Lanzarote