Fundacion Cesar Manrique in the Magic Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote is a magic small island in the Atlantic, off the coast of Africa, part of the Spanish Canary Islands. Though it’s not as popular as Gran Canaria or Tenerife, tourism developed on Lanzarote as well. It owes its attractions to a great artist, Cesar Manrique. So, let’s start our discovery of Lanzarote with Fundacion Cesar Manrique, his first finished work on the island, and also his home for twenty years.

About Cesar Manrique

Cesar Manrique is probably the most prominent figure of Lanzarote. An architect and artist, Manrique was for his home island Lanzarote what Gaudi was for Barcelona. After living in Madrid and New York, he returned to Lanzarote and played an active role in regulating constructions on the island for a sustainable future.

He is the main reason why there is only one tall building on Lanzarote, and also why constructions everywhere on the island stick to a simple chromatic.

In addition, he got involved in building or developing some of the most important tourist attractions in Lanzarote. Fundacion Cesar Manrique, his former house, is now among those attractions. I thought it was the best place to discover the artist.

Fundacion Cesar Manrique – The Story

When Cesar Manrique moved back to Lanzarote in 1966, he was already involved in Los Jameos del Agua project. He developed a vision of bringing nature into everyday life and creating art in the process.

He found a plot of land covered in lava near Tahiche, where a fig tree made its way out of the dead lava field. So, he discovered the bubbles created during the lava flow and imagined a unique house.

A couple of years later, Manrique moved into his new home and studio, a perfect display of his vision for Lanzarote. He became an activist for the sustainable development of the island.

A Visit to Fundacion Cesar Manrique

As you enter the house from the courtyard, it seems to have many traditional elements of Canarian architecture. The low white house with wooden shutters looks like a classic Lanzarote building. This first impression quickly fades away as you step through the house and observe the garden with the scenic pool below.

The route starts through the art gallery at the street level then descends to the volcanic rooms. Cesar Manrique built these unique rooms and passages inside natural volcanic bubbles. The five volcanic bubbles were transformed into living space and connected with passages. Everything inside them is designed with as little intervention as possible, a sofa, a table, some plants, a fountain. The space is functional but respectful to its primary form.

Next, you’ll see the red room with red cushions and also a red statue representing a couple. At the center of the red room, a fig grew up through a hole in the roof towards the sun.

Then, you’ll find yourself outside, in the garden below ground level. A small swimming pool contrasts with the black lava walls around it. The colors in this inner courtyard are the truest colors of Lanzarote: blue water, green, white, and also black lava everywhere.

Artspace

On the other side of the pool, you will enter another volcanic bubble then climb the stairs to the ground level. This is the space where Cesar Manrique had his studio. It is now an art gallery where you can see his work.

However, the most striking piece of art, in my opinion, is the window of the studio. Manrique designed the window to incorporate the lava spill and bring the landscape inside the studio. It is one of the features that explain best the artist’s vision.

Art is everywhere in this space of the Cesar Manrique Foundation. In the modern art gallery inside you will also find Picasso or Joan Miro drawings. In the garden outside there are various art objects Manrique has created out of scrap metal and other debris.

Useful Information

Lanzarote is a small island, but public transport is not ideal if you want to move around the island. Renting a car is the best option to visit the attractions scattered around the island. Fundacion Cesar Manrique is just a 10 minutes drive from the island’s capital, Arrecife.

However, if you don’t feel like driving, I recommend this full-day organized tour. You can visit Cesar Manrique Foundation and also Los Jameos del Agua, LagOmar, and other attractions in Lanzarote without worrying about transport.

The foundation is open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and a full ticket costs 8€. Another option is a 15€ ticket option including a visit to Cesar Manrique’s house in Haria, where he moved for the last few years of his life. More about the hours here.

On your way out, you can have a snack at the café, or browse through the souvenir shop.

Disclosure:

Some of the above may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend companies, activities, or products that I use myself. Thank you for your support in keeping my blog live!

Have you been to Lanzarote or another of the Canary Islands? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

While you’re looking at the attractions of Lanzarote, don’t miss the unique Timanfaya National Park.

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