History

Take a look at what Lanzarote was like in the 1970s

,
Elizabeth and Barry Hitchins contacted us to ask if we would be interested in some old photos of Lanzarote that they had taken in the 1970s – and the photographs that they sent to us were fascinating.

Pirates of Lanzarote: When the Island Lived in Fear of the Sea

,
For centuries, Lanzarote islanders lived in terror of pirate raids. An isolated, lightly protected island on the main trade routes to the Americas, it was highly vulnerable to attack from the sea.

The Other Lanzarote: A Hidden Village in the Mountains of Gran Canaria

,
There is another Lanzarote; a green, timeless place in the clouds where the babble of running water and the lowing of cattle are often the only sounds to break the silence.

Lanzarote’s Weird & Wonderful Wildlife

,
Some of Lanzarote’s wildlife is as strange and wonderful as anything you might see in the world. Here’s a selection of some of the strangest and most spectacular sights that you may be lucky enough to see.

The Mystery of the Queseras

, ,
David Riebold visits the oldest examples of design on the island, the mysterious Queseras carved by ancient native islanders. Photos by Clare Carter Osborne.

Lanzarote’s traditional instrument

, ,
The timple is the most famous of Canarian traditional instruments – a tiny five-stringed guitar whose piercing, high-pitched melodies give an unmistakeably Canarian touch to folk groups.

Lanzarote’s Deep Historical Ties to Texas and the United States

,
Did you know that the historic streets of San Antonio, Texas, were once walked by a mayor from Teguise? A little-known chapter of Lanzarote's history, stretching back almost three centuries, reveals a deep and living connection between the island and the United States, particularly in Texas and Louisiana.

Lanzarote – The Island of Elephant Birds

, ,
Scientists have established that the aepyornis, or elephant bird – one of the largest birds ever to exist – lived on Lanzarote four million years ago.

When the world’s most famous doctor landed on Lanzarote

,
Lanzarote’s otherworldly landscape has long made it a favourite for filmmakers seeking a dramatic, alien backdrop. But for fans of the iconic British series Doctor Who, the island holds a special place in television history as the real-world location for a pivotal chapter in the Time Lord's adventures.

When The Stone Roses came to Lanzarote

,
Before they conquered the world, The Stone Roses took a trip to Lanzarote. The resulting videos, filmed for "Fool's Gold" and "I Wanna Be Adored," were a surreal fusion of cool swagger and otherworldly beauty that would help define an era.