Lanzarote – Césars Empire

Lanzarote may well be a Spanish owned posession. But this small island – which is part of the Canarian archipelago – is located many hundreds of miles south of the Iberian Peninsula. Around eighty miles off the coast of West Africa and in fairly close proximity to the outer fringes of the Sahara desert. Boasting a unique mixture of Latin, African and European influences.

The Spanish conquistadors first claimed Lanzarote in the early 1400´s. Cutting a swathe through the seven Canary Islands as their naval power fuelled the expansion of their empire. Which would soon encompass much of Latin America and the New World too.

Soon Lanzarote would become a vital cog in the Spanish economy, as galleons criss crossed the Atlantic bearing Inca silver and African slaves. Attracting the attention of pirates and privateers (such as Drake and Raleigh) from the nautical nations of the time.

Today Lanzarote is better known as an all year round sunshine holiday destination – welcoming around 1.5 million tourists every year. The bulk of them from the UK, Germany and Eire. Yet despite this small island’s undoubted popularity it still remains surprisingly unspoiled. In comparison to many other Spanish sunspots which have long since disappeared beneath a sea of high rise hotels.

Indeed Lanzarote was threatened with just this fate during the 1960´s and 70´s – as General Franco forged ahead with plans to dynamise Spain´s economy via the introduction of package tourism. But Lanzarote escaped largely unscathed – thanks to the influence of César Manrique, a locally born artist. Who campaigned tirelessly for the controlled evolution of tourism on the island.

Manrique was aware that the advent of package holidays was inevitable – but he felt that this could still be accommodated without destroying Lanzarote´s unique volcanic scenery. Created by a massive series of eruptions during the 1730´s.

Having successfully secured a ban on high rise buildings and advertising hoardings Manrique went on to really put this philosophy to work. Designing and constructing a string of highly inventive and environmentally sensitive tourist attractions that are a million miles away from the theme parks and golf courses encountered elsewhere in Spain.

Amongst his best known creations is the Jameos del Agua. Where he transformed a huge, 6km long volcanic tube into a subterranean lagoon and concert venue. Replete with tropical gardens, bars, restaurants – and a breathtaking swimming pool that is apparently reserved for the King of Spain’s sole use. When the visiting Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth visited the site she was totally blown away – declaring it to be “The Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Indeed Manrique´s creations started to garner a lot of publicity for Lanzarote, helping to establish the island as the new, in destination of the early 1970´s.

Attracting many other VIP visitors such as Peter Sellers and Omar Sharif.

Today, the island could not really be described as fashionable – as the VIP visitors have long since been replaced by package tourists. But whiffs of this more glamorous past are evident in all of Manrique´s creations across the island. Which are often likened to James Bond film sets. And outside of the three main tourist resorts Lanzarote remains largely as nature intended. Making it a fascinating destination for visitors who like to do more than just soak up the sun.

The island is soon to receive a further boost from the release of Pedro Almodóvar´s new movie, Broken Embraces. Which stars Penelope Cruz and which was shot on location on Lanzarote – featuring many of the landmarks created by Manrique.

Nick Ball, owner of Lanzarote guidebook, provided us with this guest post about his favorite destination. If you want to know more about Lanzarote, visit his website.