Cesar Manrique
The remarkable Cesar Manrique is undoubtedly Lanzarote's best-known son. This famous artist, sculptor, architect and environmentalist was born in Arrecife in 1919. After working abroad for many years, when he returned to Lanzarote in the 1960's he devoted the rest of his life to educating his fellow Lanzarotians about the harmony of art, nature and landscape in order to prevent the unsightly development that was threatening his homeland. He had considerable influence over the island's cabildo (town council) and managed to prevent high-rise buildings so that no structure, except church towers, is built higher than a Canary palm. He recommended that rural buildings have whitewashed walls, with green doors and window frames. Roadside hoardings were banned, as was the tipping of rubbish, while all electric cables were to be laid underground.
Manrique also made his own artistic contributions to the landscape. His sculptures and mobiles (such as that of Monumento al Campesino, situated near Mozaga) grace the scenery. He turned the caves at Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes from rubbish tips into places of unique beauty, designed a remarkable restaurant on the Islote de Hilario volcano, converted the Castillo de San Jose at Arrecife into an art gallery and restaurant and designed the extraordinary Mirador del Rio with its fantastic views across to Isla Graciosa. Manrique was also responsible for the Cactus Garden at Guatiza.
When Manrique moved house he presented his home at Taro de Tahiche to the public. This remarkable villa was built within a series of huge volcanic bubbles. It is now the Manrique Foundation and is open to visitors.
Cesar Manrique died in 1992 at the age of 72 in a motor accident but his achievements live on for all to appreciate.
