Just like in Mexico, Lanzarote also boasts magical villages that tell the story of a mythical island where human beings live in a friendly coexistence with the elements: sea, wind, land, volcano…
These are unique places that have preserved their original architecture, traditions, history and culture. Would you like to get to know the origins of the sustainable miracle that is on this island? If so, come with us on this immersive visit to four fascinating and unknown places that embody the unique and special essence of Lanzarote.
Femés Visual Magic
Our first destination is Femés (Yaiza), where Arozarena placed his character Mararía, and a village to which Pedro Guerra dedicated a song: “En el silencio, solo los ladridos de los perros” (In the silence, only the barking of the dogs).
Femés is a historical treasure, home to the first cathedral in the Canary Islands, destroyed by corsairs in 1543 and then rebuilt two centuries later in its current building, the chapel of San Marcial, patron saint of the island. Let your mind travel back to Lanzarote’s not-so-distant past in this walk through the village of Femés, with its rural architecture and its artisan cheese dairies, still maintained by the local farmers.
When you reach the viewpoint, you’ll discover the magic: volcanic views of Timanfaya, the beaches in the south of Lanzarote and the island of Maxorata, sharply visible on clear days.
Savour the scenery. Make the most of your stay in Femés to try some of the local specialities (kid or goat’s meat) in the village restaurants, which themselves have viewpoints overlooking the breathtaking scenery.
Punta Mujeres Coastal life
The name of this village in the municipality of Haría is enough to arouse the curiosity of the visitor. It is said to be due to a group of women who were abandoned here in 1700 by the pirates who had kidnapped them. The resemblance of the surrounding mountains to female silhouettes is also mentioned as a possibility.
Why not visit and draw your conclusions? Come and explore this beautiful northern corner whose proximity to Arrieta gives it a lively holiday atmosphere from Easter to summer. Don’t forget your swimsuit because you’re not going to want to miss out on a dip in the natural pools where there is always a presence of lively groups of families and friends.
The promenade, dotted with coves and terraces, leads to the beach of La Garita, in Arrieta, where you can eat in one of its picturesque restaurants facing the sea. This is the place to try the local produce: limpets, vieja, antoñito (a variety of porgy)…. Fresh seafood and fish never taste better than when you can hear the waves crashing on the very wall on which your table sits.
Land of cactus. The traditional crop of cochineal meanders through the northern landscape in the immense plantations of tuneras (prickly pear cactus), visible from the road through Mala or Guatiza.
Agave is abundant on Lanzarote due to its special climate. The island also produces a healing variety of aloe vera, which is used as a base for cosmetic products. If you are interested in this fascinating desert flora, don’t miss the Cactus Garden, which houses some 4,500 specimens from all five continents.
Mancha Blanca. The miracle that stopped the lava
Legend has it that in 1736 the inhabitants of the island, desperate after years of eruptions that were burying villages and crops, chanted a prayer to the Virgin for help and, at that precise moment, the eruption ceased, saving a plot of land in the middle of the rivers of lava.
The place was named Mancha Blanca, and there the hermitage of Los Dolores was built, which is visited by thousands of pilgrims every 15th of September. It’s worth setting aside a Saturday morning to explore this symbolic location in the municipality of Tinajo.
On the esplanade of the chapel there is a farmers’ market where there is no shortage of local parranda groups playing, and on sale are the organic crops grown in the mineral soil of Lanzarote: grains such as lentils, chickpeas and peas, crops grown on jable such as sweet potatoes, typical local pastries and other produce. You won’t find a better gift to take home to your friends.
Volcanic experience. This is the area that was the origin of the natural wonder that is Lanzarote today and, therefore, you mustn’t miss a visit to the Timanfaya National Park. And to better understand the importance of the historical eruptions, visit the Mancha Blanca Interpretation Centre, where admission is free.
Mozaga. Magic wines
Mozaga is located in the geographical centre of the island, between the municipalities of Teguise and San Bartolomé. This small village of 400 inhabitants, in the heart of the protected landscape of La Geria, is the symbol of the preservation of a wine-producing method that is unique in the world. Its history dates back to 1737, when the farmhouse of Captain Gaspar de Samarines, dedicated to vine growing, was built.
Once again, the volcano determined the life of the island’s inhabitants, who devised a system of cultivation under the same ashes that had destroyed the previous crops. Since then, the region has seen a proliferation of ash-mulched fields and small wineries, whose work is governed by the same rules that nature imposed on their predecessors.
Homage to Manrique. In his desire to pay tribute to this exceptional example of agriculture, the universal artist César Manrique created the Casa Museo del Campesino, a centre where you can explore everything from traditional crafts to local gastronomy. We recommend taking the wine route to visit, stopping off at one of the wineries along the way.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media