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Museums, Places of interest
1. MIAC- Castillo de San José
The capital of Lanzarote, Arrecife, has two forts that in the past served as the first escoyo against pirate attacks. In addition to the Castillo de San Gabriel, also located on the coast of Arrecife, there is the Castillo de San José which is now the home of International Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Castillo de San José was built between 1776 and 1779 by the king Carlos III, also received the name of Fortress of the Famine since in times of famine the fortification served to give work to the inhabitants of Arrecife.

From its location it was possible to spot any possible attack that came from the sea, after remitting these attacks the fortress was abandoned until the twentieth century that was practically demolished.

The artist César Manrique saw potential at Castillo de San José and turned the construction into what it is today, the International Museum of Art Contemporáne or inaugurated in 1976.

Manrique got an interesting collection with works by artists such as Picasso, Tápies, Miró, Mompó, Millares and works of own César Manrique. The building has a concert hall and spectacular views through a window at Puerto de los Mármoles.
Museums, Places of interest
2. Casa de los Arroyo
Historical buildings

The Casa de los Arroyo is one of the icons of Arrecife. A building that dates from the XVIII century and that originally belonged to the Armas family and later to the Arroyo family. It is especially striking that the type of architecture with popular and domestic dyes, currently the Casa de los Arroyo is the headquarters of the Blas Cabrera Scientific-Cultural Center.

The importance of the Casa de los Arroyo has led it to be declared a historical-artistic monument, the roof of the Arab tile building must be removed, something unusual in the constructions of the archipelago.

The Casa de los Arroyo was used as a customs office in times when the capital Arrecife was not the urban center that it is today and it was only a port of entry and exit to the island whose capital then was Teguise.

Following the architecture of the house, it has a sober style where the patio, balconies and wooden stairs stand out. The building also usually hosts artistic exhibitions, which is why it sometimes becomes the nerve center of the capital of Lanzarote.

Museums, Places of interest
3. Castillo de San Gabriel