Camels, lava caves and Manrique’s mark on Lanzarote

Von Marlis Zoschke

Like all the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is also of volcanic origin. The island was formed 36 million years ago as a result of undersea earthquakes. It lies just 140 kilometres from Morocco and was the first of the Canary Islands to be settled.

Lanzarote has weathered many severe earthquakes. The last volcanic eruption took place in 1824, but the worst eruption of Timanfaya occurred in 1730 and lasted for more than 2,000 days. It has been quiet ever since. However, the situation is being monitored very closely.

Although there are frequent minor earthquakes, these shouldn’t put anyone off visiting Lanzarote. The landscape is uniquely beautiful and very varied. In 1993, UNESCO designated the whole island a biosphere reserve.

The Fire Mountains on Lanzarote

But first we wanted to visit the Fire Mountains. To get there, you have to jolt along through the desert for a while. When we arrived, camels and their drivers were waiting for us. The animals had a basket hanging from each side, in which you could sit quite comfortably.

We were a group of 20 people, which meant we needed ten large camels. Most of the ‚passengers‘ got on quite quickly, and the animals were soon standing still. But then along came a couple of very different weights.

That’s how quickly things can go wrong in Lanzarote

When the poor animal tried to stand up, it kept toppling over to one side. After the third attempt, the handler had to step in to help get the camel back on its feet. We all had a good laugh, but that couple certainly didn’t find it as funny.

It was quite a long walk through the desert sand. To demonstrate just how quickly things can catch fire in the desert, our tour guide had brought along a spade and a small amount of straw. He dug a hole in the sand, placed the straw inside, and before he could say a word, it was already alight.

The green side of Lanzarote

No one should miss out on seeing the green side of Lanzarote. There are palm trees, pretty little coastal towns and a cave formed by lava flows: the Cueva de los Verdes.

The painter and sculptor César Manrique did a great deal for the island. He was born in Arrecife in April 1919 and died in Tahiche in September 1992 following a road accident. Manrique was a strong advocate for environmental protection. Many of his ideas and recommendations were put into practice. People on the island hope that this will continue for a long time to come.

How did the island of Lanzarote get its name?

There are various theories regarding the origin of the name. One suggests that it derives from ‚broken lance‘. It is said that Juan de Bethencourt broke his lance upon setting foot on the island. This is said to have given Lanzarote its name. However, ‚broken lance‘ actually translates as ‚lanza quebrada‘. Therefore, the island should, according to this theory, be called Lanzaquebrade.

Another theory regarding the origin of the name Lanzarote suggests that, in the 13th century, a merchant from Genoa is said to have traded with the indigenous people of Lanzarote for many years. He is said to have simply named the Canary Islands after himself. The merchant’s name was Lancelotto Malocello.