Cesar Manrique

The man who shaped Lanzarote 

Travelling around Lanzarote, you can’t fail to be impressed at the bold expressive sculptures in streets, at roundabouts and adorning public buildings. Sands Beach Resort makes its own modest nod to the vision of César Manrique, with it’s vaulted wooden roof and pyramid style chandelier in the hotel reception but the great artist, sculptor and engineer, really was the master.

Born in Arrecife in 1919, César Manrique perfected his art in Madrid and New York, before following his heart, back to Lanzarote in 1966 to dedicate his final 26 years to guiding the growth of modern Lanzarote, with style and flair.

Wall murals at Lanzarote airport are most people's first introduction to César Manrique's work but he has left several big projects that still dominate Lanzarote's excursion schedule. The César Manrique Foundation is based at Tahiche, just inland from Costa Teguise and houses many of his paintings and other works in his home, built inside five volcanic bubbles.

Up north in Haria, at Lanzarote’s high point of 480 metres, César designed the Mirador del Rio, a viewpoint carved into the cliff edge. The Cactus Garden, to the north of Costa Teguise, features cacti from America, Africa and the Canary Islands, all grown on a bed of ancient lava ash.

The most stunning of César Manrique's works, though, is the Jameos del Aqua, in the northern village of Haria. Set in the heart of a 7km volcanic tube that extends out under the sea, it has a huge underground volcanic cave with a clear salt water lake, home to the endemic Albino Crab. Another huge underground cave is now a concert hall where music, theatre and dance go on into the early hours, with eerie lighting and unique acoustics.

Upstairs a large swimming pool is the centerpiece of the display rooms where César’s fascination with volcanoes is echoed in a display of all the latest research results from volcanic zones around the world.