Capital Ideas - Exploring Arrecife
Lanzarote´s capital city of Arrecife is home to around half of the islands total population of 127,000 people. Having taken over the title from the former inland capital of Teguise back in 1852. As coastal trade links began to assume much greater importance for the development of the island´s economy. And today it’s a bustling conurbation, offering plenty of interest for tourists.
Arrecife can often be overlooked by visitors to the island. But this cosmopolitan cunrubation has loads to offer - Including two historic castles, an inland lagoon, a city centre beach and the best shopping on the island.
Every tourist arriving on flights to Lanzarote passes through Arrecife airport. Which is located around 3km outside the city. But a much smaller proportion venture into the capital to explore its many attractions. Opting instead to head for the resorts located to the south and north of Arrecife.
But whilst the capital is not regarded as a holiday destination in its own right it still boasts some of the best hotels in Lanzarote. Such as the Arrecife Gran, which is the only high rise building on the island. Having escaped strict planning laws introduced in the 1970´s which outlawed the construction of any edifice taller than a Canarian palm tree.
Arrecife is also home to a number of other buildings of note. Not least the Castillo San Gabriel – which was built in 1590 and which is located right in the heart of the city centre at the foot of the main shopping street, Calle Leon Y Castillo. This fortress was built in order to protect Arrecife and the island from repeated pirate incursions. And today is home to a small museum displaying artefacts from the pre-Spanish island inhabitants, the Guanche.
Around 2km away from the city centre lies another impressive castle – the Castillo San Jose. Which was built in the 1800´s and is known locally as the Fortress of Hunger. As the construction project was implemented to help alleviate the poverty that prevailed on the island at this time.
Today the Castillo is home to Lanzarote´s Museum of International and Contemporary Art. And also houses one of the islands best restaurants in its basement. Which was designed by the ubiquitous local artist Cesar Manrique.
Arrecife also boasts some more impressive patches of historic architecture in and around the El Charco area – known locally as The Puddle. With the Church de San Gines and the buildings in and around the El Recova market particularly worthy of further exploration.
