German tourists returns stolen Timanfaya rocks that “brought bad luck”

A German tourist who took rocks from Timanfaya without authorisation returned them because they “brought bad luck.”

La Voz de Lanzarote reports that the incident occurred some years ago, but that the National Park has recently released the letter 

The letter reads “I have heard of legends where the removal of volcanic rock from its source of origin, brings bad luck and I fear this has befallen me. After a major personal tragedy I feel compelled to return these few grams of rock to Fire Mountains I would be eternally grateful if you scatter them outside the visitor centre where I picked them up at the “hot coals” spot.”

While there is no evidence that taking stones brings misfortune, it is illegal and can be subject to heavy fines. Lanzarote Airport frequently confiscates rocks and sand from the luggage of travellers returning home.

The National Park of Timanfaya commented that taking stones destroys the habitat of lichens, fungi and insects, and can contribute to erosion: “This rock makes no sense in your glass case, it’s not a souvenir nor is it material for a pendant. It belongs to nature.”