History

When Churchill planned to invade the Canaries

Recent films about Dunkirk and Churchill have brought the early days of World War II back into the public eye, but how many know that Churchill planned to invade the Canary Islands in 1941?

The man who changed Lanzarote forever

Manuel Díaz Rijo created the first island-based desalination in the world and changed Lanzarote forever.

When Lanzarote went to the Oscars

Arrecife born costume designer, Paco Delgado, has worked on a number of huge films throughout his career which earned him two Goya Awards and two Oscar nominations.

When Lanzarote featured on the big screen

Lanzarote has featured in a number of films, TV and videos over the years. Here’s our list of some of the island’s most famous and memorable appearances.

The invasion that never was

Reader George Harris recently wrote to us asking if we could explain a structure that resembled a military pillbox on top of a cliff in Playa Blanca. The answer goes back more than 80 years, to a time when the islands were teetering on the brink of involvement in World War II.

The road to Salina

In 1969 a film crew arrived at the Hotel Lancelot in Arrecife to film a “suspense thriller” on the island. French director Georges Lautner had assembled a cast that included Robert Walker (who had appeared in Easy Rider the year before), and Mimsy Farmer, a young actress who had appeared in biker movies in the US and would go on to appear in several Italian cult films.

From a dirt track to the most important tourist resort

How a dirt track, a few rocks and a long-ignored beach became the first and most important tourist resort on Lanzarote?

Lanzarote’s youngest resort

Puerto Calero is Lanzarote's youngest resort, a Blue Flag luxury sporting marina with a sleek, luxurious image and a unique character.

Costa Teguise’s first hotel

The Hotel Meliá Salinas was the first large hotel to be built in Costa Teguise, and the first five-star establishment on the island.

The history of El Almacén

On the 22nd February 1974, four Canarian artists - Luis Ibáñez, Pepe Dámaso, Gerardo Fontes and César Manrique – opened the doors of a “polydimensional arts centre” in the heart of Arrecife.