LANZAROTE IS A VOLCANIC ISLAND, which many are, but what’s different about it — as opposed to, say, lush Kauai — is that the last major eruption occurred relatively recently. In September of 1730, Mt. Timanfaya let loose a lava flow that decimated two-thirds of the island. Where efforts to re-forest (or re-palm, or re-cactus) have been made, they’ve been successful. But despite the sunny clime (it’s 72 here today, she said smugly), the southern part of the island — all I’ve seen so far — is a blackened landscape, not without its own charred beauty.
The lava, long since solidified, that destroyed a dozen villages and sent islanders fleeing to other parts of the Canary Islands archipelago has been put to good use. You see it in agriculture, in building construction, and in countless decorative applications. I mean, it’s everywhere. See below for some of the practical and imaginative ways the people of Lanzarote have re-purposed the black stuff.
As boulders around swimming pools…
Hotel Gran Melia Salinas, Costa Teguise
Exterior walls…
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
Interior walls…
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
Mosaic murals…
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
Boundary walls…
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
Mulch…
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
Steps…
Monumento al Campesino
Museo del Campesino
Castillo de San Jose
Terraced farming (each shrub, vine or fruit tree has it’s own surround for protection from winds)…
Building construction, often covered with stucco…
Caseria de Mozaga, an inn and restaurant
Crazy paving…
Hotel Finca de la Florida
18th century castle walls…
Castillo de San Jose
Arched interior rooms… floors too…
Castillo de San Jose (now a contemporary art museum)
Castillo de San Jose
8 comments
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December 7, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Amberr Meadows
I love these amazing photos. Excellent post!
December 7, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Julia Mack
So beautiful and exotic. Your writing and photos are so descriptive that I’m practically transported just by scrolling down.
December 7, 2011 at 9:45 pm
stacie
great pictures! that cesar was one wild and crazy guy!
December 7, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Johanna Björk
Lovely post, Cara. Marc and I were just there a few weeks ago! Lanzarote is so gorgeous in it’s blackened barren-ness. I want move in to Cesar Manrique’s house…
December 7, 2011 at 11:24 pm
Brooklyn Greene
Two words: Gor and Jus! I want to be there now!
But right now it sounds like sleet along with the rain hitting the north-facing windows here in Fort Greene. WQXR was getting boring so now I’m onto something else and a glass Peconic, North Fork Sauvignon Blanc.
Enjoy!!! And thank you Cara for always sharing! As you know, you’re a treasure!
December 8, 2011 at 8:42 am
Melissa Danielle
Have you heard any superstitions with regard to the lava rocks/black sand? I’m curious, as we were repeatedly told that it would be bad luck to take any of it off the islands in Hawai’i.
December 8, 2011 at 10:19 am
Terry
You are certainly burning it up today: When life gives you lava…
December 8, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Coppermaven
Great pics! Hope you get a chance to enjoy the sunshine…