Teguise

Some of the islands of the Canarian archipelago have been attacked by invaders and pirates throughout history. In Teguise there is a place called Piracy Museum which opened in February 2011, is located in Castillo de Santa Bárbara, which served of strength before the different pirate offensives that suffered the island of Lanzarote especially from the sixteenth century. The fortress is in the mountain of Guanapay, it was a perfect strategic place to see any kind of attack coming, from here you can watch the whole island in any direction. It is currently the Museum of Piracy and it shows information about some of the most universal pirates, also explains the history of the attacks of these invaders on the island of Lanzarote. The museum exposes how the population of the island managed to overcome the threat of pirate attacks. You can get to know in depth the history of Teguise, you can see a model of the ancient city and it shows the power it had during the XVI and XVII centuries. The reason why the islands were a favorite site for pirate attacks was because after discovering the New World it was a place to stop for the ships that made the route until the Americas.  

One of the unmistakable symbols of Lanzarote is the artist César Manrique and with the aim of preserving and spreading the work, the César Manrique Foundation was founded., a private institution located in the Taro de Tahiche that belongs to the municipality of Teguise. The Foundation's main areas are the protection of the natural environment, promoting the plastic arts and inviting cultural reflection. The center of the César Manrique Foundation was inaugurated in 1992, it is the old house of Manrique that has been converted into a museum. In the facilities you can find two collections, the first of which is contemporary art with works by artists of the same generation and the second of the collections is representative of the best of the artist. The most impressive thing about the building, which was the home-studio of Manrique, is that it is located on a lava tail of the eruption that took place between 1730-36, taking advantage of the formation of volcanic bubbles to configure a surprising habitable place. The exterior of the museum is inspired by the traditional architecture of the island of Lanzarote. The César Manrique Foundation receives around 300,000 visitors a year, which makes it one of the reference places in Teguise.

The Pueblo Marinero is a large commercial area whose initial project is due, in part, to the architect César Manrique. Built following the canons of traditional Canarian architecture, homes, shops, restaurants and bars are gathered around a large central square where events that are popular in this area of Lanzarote, Costa Teguise, are usually held.

The i Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the best known of Teguise in Lanzarote. This church dates from the XV century, in the beginning it was a simple temple that did not have windows and with a few seats that were stones attached to the walls of the construction. Since its creation the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Teguise has suffered numerous looting, some fire and at some time almost demolished due to the invasions that They took place in Lanzarote. Until the 18th century the parish did not have three naves, but again in 1909 it caught fire and was destroyed again, this time through the contributions of the inhabitants of Teguise was rebuilt again. Several years later in 1914 she was blessed by the Angel Marquina Corrales Bishop and reopened. After this last work, another prism was added to the tower, after this performance it became the highest architectural element of Lanzarote. Inside you can find very interesting elements made of granite, such as the holy water piles, the baptismal font itself, the pulpit and part of the temple choir, these made by Juan Hernández Pérez, local artist. It is worth noting the altarpieces and the pulley-speaker of the pulpit created by Eugenio Bañasco.

In Teguise it is possible to find one of the most important places in the town, the Convent San Francisco also known by the name Convent Madre de Dios de Miraflores. At the moment of the convent only the church is conserved since due to the invasions and the step of the time it is what has remained in foot. This was the ninth of the convents of the order of The Franciscans, in it the remains of some of the most illustrious personalities and some of the first nobility of the Island were seen. Lanzarote The convent initiated by Sancho de Herrara El Viejo, who was lord of Lanzarote and who in 1534 granted the mandate for the construction of the monastery in the garden of Famara. The convent was located in the south zone of Teguise, and as it happened with many other temples of the island, it was the result of a fire and it was completely demolished. inhabitants of the city and rebuilt it again. The fire burned the convent, the church with its chapels, the images among them the one of Our Lady of the Conception. Currently the church has three altarpieces, wooden ceilings, an impressive pulpit carved in wood and the pile of volcanic stone in one piece. The building is used for the celebration of cultural events.

Another of the convents that we can find in the town of Teguise in Lanzarote is the Convent Santo Domingo de Teguise. The only Convent that existed for half a century on the island of Lanzarote was the Order of The Franciscans of Miraflores which today is Museum of Sacred Art With the passing of time, other religious centers were created, including Convent of San Domingo de Teguise, built thanks to the efforts of Gaspar Rodríguez Carrasco, although it was born in Tenerife its commercial activity was carried out in Lanzarote. In 1692 he sought permission to create a hospital with a church and liturgical service under the congregation of San Juan de Dios, in 1698 he gave some houses to install the hospital, but finally it was not done . The insistence of Carrasco did not end here and early eighteenth century from a church already built the previous century. The convent presents a facade of double composition, on the door on the right in red ridge, the symbols of the Dominican Order. In its interior there are two naves separated by four arches of half a point of stone and red and black stonework. One can speak of the golden altarpiece of Indian influence of one of its altars. Today is a Contemporary Art Gallery.

In the city of Teguise in Lanzarote there is the Casa Palacio del Marqués de Lanzarote. The importance of this palace is that it was the house of government of the Island of Lanzarote from the fifteenth century, until the invasions of the drunkards left it practically in ruins. The Palacio del Marqués belonged to the Herrera y Rojas family that lived in Teguise and that turned the villa into one of the political and social centers of the island. In its beginnings the palace occupied a great extension, it gave to the back of the parochial church of Teguise. It was accessed through three stone doors and where the main entrance was located in the part that overlooked the church, from here you could access a large room and from here to a large patio. Throughout the years, the palace served as a meeting place for the authorities of the town hall or town hall. Today the palace has been restored and although it is quite different from what it was at the time.

The beaches of Lanzarote are undoubtedly one of the elements that most attracts the attention of visitors who come to the island. Located on the small island belonging to Teguise is one of the most beautiful and recommended beaches of the Canary archipelago the Playa de Las Conchas. La Isla de La Graciosa is the island with the population where the least human footprint can be found, it is one of the most charming treasures of Canarias. Playa de las Conchas is a practically virgin beach, from the Caleta del Sebo (where the ferry arrives to the island) it is possible to arrive both in all terrain, bicycle or even on foot. Upon arrival you can see about 600 meters of fine white sand by 80 wide, with a clear and transparent waters is a place that invites you to rest, enjoy revitalizing baths, always with care due to the currents, and unique moments. All the practically desert place that surrounds the beach makes the place a practically magical place. From the shore you can see the islets of Alegranza and Montaña Clara which brings much more charm to this place that invites to repeat each day.