Lanzarote Volcanic Treasure

For a small island – measuring just 58km long by 34 km wide - Lanzarote has long been hugely popular with overseas visitors.  Thanks to this speck of Spain’s idyllic location – just seventy miles off the coast of Africa.  And on the same line of latitude as parts of Florida, Mexico and the Bahamas.  Creating a fantastically clement year round climate that has in the passed earned Lanzarote the sobriquet of the Island of Eternal Spring. 

Add in over ninety great beaches, a unique set of tourist attractions and bearable four hour flights to Lanzarote from both the UK and Ireland and it’s no wonder that the island has become a year round favourite with sun starved Northern Europeans. 

Lanzarote was first conquered by the Spanish crown back in the 1400´s – under the aegis of as Norman noble called Jean de Bethencourt.  For centuries the island was an important staging post between the New World and Spain – with galleons regularly transporting Inca gold and silver via the Canary Island.  Leading to endless incursions from English privateers such as Raleigh and Drake. 

This state of affairs forced the Spanish crown to militarise and reinforce the island during the 1600 and 1700´s – which helped to consolidate Lanzarote´s position as an important outpost of the Empire and further cement the island to Spanish rule. 

During the 1730´s Lanzarote was subjected to the modern worlds longest ever volcanic eruption.  Which lasted for over six years and which buried around one quarter of the island in a sea of lava. 

At the time this cataclysmic event obviously caused widespread devastation and forced many Lanzaroteños to leave their home in search of a new life abroad.  With many thousands emigrating to Latin America and Cuba. 

But today, somewhat ironically, the volcanic region of the island has become Lanzarote´s best known and most popular tourist attraction.  Drawing in close to a million visitors every year.  Who are transfixed by the eerie lunar like landscape created by these eruptions.   

Lanzarote is also an island of contrasts – as heading north from the arid lava fields in the south visitors eventually encounter lush green valleys – such as the Valley of 1000 Palms.  Where villagers once planted one new palm tree for every new born girl and two for a boy. 

Unlike many other parts of Spain that ran headlong into the arms of tourist development Lanzarote remains largely unspoiled.  With no high rise buildings or advertising hoardings scarring the landscape.  And with the island’s three main tourist resorts all well contained. 

This controlled evolution can be attributed to the campaigning efforts of one man – Cesar Manrique.  A well known island born artist and architect who fought against over development on Lanzarote and who also sought to create a unique range of tourist attractions as an alternative to the water parks and golf courses springing up elsewhere in Spain. 

Manrique’s philosophy was to fuse art with nature – which he achieved to stunning effect at sites such as the Jameos del Agua.  Where he converted a 6km long collapsed lava tube into an underground auditorium and concert venue. As a result of his efforts Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO protected biosphere in 1994, the first island in the world to achieve such status.  And has much more to offer visitors than just bucket and spade beach holidays alone.