The works of Cesar Manrique

Cesar Manrique

Local artist Cesar Manrique was a sculpture, painter, architect and one of the pioneers of modern art in Spain. 

He created the 7 tourist centers of Lanzarote and had a great influence on the protection of both the nature and the culture of the island. 

He convinced the local government to disallow the construction of high buildings and the use of billboards that would harm the beauty of the natural landscape.

Casa del Campesino

To give the people an example of the typical Lanzarote architecture Cesar Manrique builded the "Casa del Campesino".

Often there are demostrations of typical Lanzarote handycrafts and there is a resaurant sitated in a cave.

Next to the house there stands one of Cesar Manriques most famous sculptures named "Fecundidad".


Jardin de Cactus

As his seventh and last work for the government´s touristic centers, he constructed the Jardin de Cactus.

The cactus garden is located in Guatiza, one of the villages where Cojinilla, a sort of plantlouses, is still cultivated on cacti named "Tuneras".


Mirrador del Rio

The Mirrador del Rio is situated in the north of Lanzarote on the steep cliff named "Risco de Famara".

From a hight of about 600 meters you have a wonderful view over the small neighboring island "La Graciosa".

The outside is made out of lavastones in harmony with it´s natural surroundings.


Los Jameos del Agua

A Jameos is a place where the roof of a lava tunnel collapsed.

Los Jameos del Agua exists out of a smal and the big Jameo, joined together by a lava tunnel.

In the tunnel there is a lake which is connected to the Atlantic Ocean and in which blind small crabs live named "Jameitos".

Upon entering the Jameos del Agua one arrives at the Jameo Chica. Here there is a cave with another small lake and a bar build into the lava wall.

From here one can step into a volcanic tunnel where the big lake is and one can observe the blind Jameito crabs from nearby.

The tunnel leads to the big Jameo in which there is a beautiful garden with a swimmingpool, all decorated in the style of Cesar Manrique.

At the end of the garden there is a large cave with great acoustic qualities. Manrique coverted the cave into a theater where often musical concerts are given.

Also part of the Jameos del Agua is the "Casa de los Volcanes". Here volcanic activities are studied and there is a museum about volcanology.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The "Castillo de San Jose" , was built in the 18th century by King Carlos III to protect the harbour from pirate attacs.

Cesar Manrique converted the fortress into a modern art museum and a restaurant with excellent views.

Fundation Cesar Manrique

The house of Cesar Manrique is also build in his pesonal style and decored with pieces of his art work. Big bubbels in the black lava form some of the rooms and a part of the house forms an exposition of his paintings and sculptures. 

Cesar Manrique´s house now is the home of the "Fundation Cesar Manrique" an organisation of with one of it´s goals is to conserve and study his creations.

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