History of the Lanzarote

The first literary mention of island of Lanzarote, originally known as Tite Roy Gatra was in 1339. It was found by Lancelotto Malocello, who made reference of it in his Dulcert Atlas in that year. He was a navigator from Genoa and he brought it to the attention of his European peers as early as 1312. Directly translated the name meant Rose coloured hill, however the name was later changed to Lanzarote, which is a translation of lancolot (lancelloto). Upon discovery, the island was ruled by King Zonzamas from his palace in San Bartolome. He was then succeeded by his daughter Ico and partner Guanarteme, who bore a son Gaurdafia. It was Gaurdafia who ruled when Juan De Bethencourt, a Spanish colonizer, landed on the island in 1402.

The islanders were known as Gaunches and there was royalty, noblemen and then the common people who worked the sea to provide food for the hierarchy above. Many archeological sites bare the names of the descendants of these people. In 1402 the Castile of Spain decided to send the Norman Bethencourt, to the Canary Islands and make claim to the islands. The initial reception of Bethencourt friendly and an amiable friendship between King Gaurdafia and Bethencourt was struck up. King Gaurdfia recognized the need for the protection Bethencourt could provided for his island from pirates and the like. Indeed, the Rubicon castle, close to where Bethencourt first landed, was erected in his honour and in a defensive position for the island. However, Betnecourt left the island to swear allegiance to Henry III and upon his return 2 years later, he enforced his rule over the islanders. On 27 February 1404 King Gaurdafia gave up his role of king to Betencourt and was himself baptized and christened Luis. Pope Innocent VII granted Bethencourt the title of King of all the Canary Islands.

Bethencourt died in Normandy in 1425 and his nephew Maciot succeeded his title. His tyrannical rule and various liaisons with other countries left the island bitterly contested over by the Portuguese and Spanish. Finally, the Pope settled the matter by giving the Castile the rightful claim to the islands and Maciot signed an abdication forfeiting his rights of rule over Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands. Various families such as Ines Peraza and Diego de Herrera and their descendants ruled Lanzarote through the next few decades and the title of Count of Lanzarote was finally given to Agustin de Herrera yRojas. He was a man notorious for fighting off many pirates from different countries and he finally died in the capital Teguise in 1598, leaving his successors to reign until 1812.

In 1812, the Canary Islands became a province of Spain. The feudal system that had long ruled the islands was abolished by the constitution of Cadiz and the capital of the Canary Islands was granted to Santa Cruz in Tenerife as the capital. The islands were exempt from custom and excise duties in 1852 and the ports were declared free ports. Two provinces were formed within the islands made up of Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and Hierro for the Tenerife Province and Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura as the Gran Canaria province.

Lanzarote Nature

Lanzarote has one of the most volcanic landscapes and ecosystems among the islands of the Canaries. It is a Biosphere Reserves and was declared so in 1993 and its unique atmosphere has created an environment for unusual native plants and animals. The Timanfaya seed and the Famara are two of the species, which are only found on the island. Some of the creatures found on the islands have adapted their characteristics to survive such as crickets that live in lava holes and the Blind Albino Crab of the Jameos del Agua.

The birds of the island are a hardy variety. In the north of the island there lies the tiny cluster of islands known as the Chinijo Archipelago. Here Ospreys, Falcons, Petrels and Shearwaters can be found albeit in small precious numbers. In the hotter parts of the islands where the environment is dry and arid, birds such as the cream-coloured Courser, the Stone Curlew and Houbara Bustard thrive. Unusual reptiles thrive here on the island such as the Fuerteventura Salamander and Atlantic Lizard and mammals unique to this island such as the Canary Shrew ( Crocidura Canariensis).

The warm waters surrounding this archipelago, are a magnet for many marine species. As well as having an abundance of seafood, larger creatures such as dolphins, whales and turtles live and swim between the islands. Also Hammerhead sharks can be found around some of the islands and barracuda, grouper, flying fish and stingrays live around the reefs and bays.

Lanzarote Architecture and Heritage

The island of Lanzarote owes much of its unique architecture and landscaping to one of its local townsmen. His name was Cesar Manrique Cabrera. He was the son of Don Gumersindo, a man originally from Fuerteventura, who emigrated to Lanzarote with his wife Francisca. Don Gumersindon was a food merchant and a respected figure within the community as was his grandfather. Cesar Manrique was a painter and sculptor and he had a vision of the island that he wished to portray on the island. The tourist industry was rapidly growing among the archipelago and before the construction of many hotels, apartments and other buildings which come with a sudden influx of tourism, Cesar wanted to make his mark for the good of the island.

He worked with the already intrinsic beauty of the island and created areas of great beauty around the island and advised on architecture and landscapes in keeping with the island. His artistic talent can be seen throughout many public buildings and monuments, which are still visited by locals and tourists to this day and a foundation was formed in his honour, which maintains the many ingenious works he created.

He was killed in a car crash in September 1992. He was 73 years old and although he left behind a legacy of wonderful structures and artistic works, he was sadly missed by all.