The Castillo de San José perches on a rocky outcrop overlooking Lanzarote’s busy commercial port. Once the most important military buildings on the island, it is now one of the island’s seven centres of art, culture and tourism created by César Manrique. Here’s what to expect when you visit.
The museum was established in 1975 under the personal direction of Manrique. A year later, and 200 years after the first stone of the castle had been laid, it was opened to the public with a spectacular exhibition featuring artists such as Picasso, Miró, Francis Bacon and Henry Moore.
Many of the works at that show form the backbone of the permanent collection on display today, after the island’s Cabildo made a huge investment in artworks by notable modern artists, creating one of the finest collections of late 20th-century art in the Canaries.
The castle building itself has hardly changed – large, starkly-decorated halls and chambers form the perfect setting for the abstract works of art. It’s possible to climb up an old stone staircase to the roof and battlements of the castle.
Just off the main hall is the Canarian Art room, featuring works by artists from the islands including Manrique’s close friend Pepe Dámaso – his work incorporates a piece of fabric that the two discovered while on a walk together.
The Pancho Lasso room houses works by a Lanzarote artist that the museum’s director, María José, shows special interest in. “Pancho Lasso was hugely talented,” she tells us. “He was the son of a carpenter and trained as a barber but showed such artistic skill that the Cabildo offered him a grant to study in Madrid.” The works in the museum back up her claim. Lasso’s work shows influences from social realism and art deco to cubism and surrealism.
The museum’s collection has grown, especially with photography which “wasn’t considered so much as art back then” according to María José.
A tunnel leading down to the restaurant is unmistakably Manrique in style, all soft curves, white walls, raw volcanic rock, and those quirky little details, such as lampshades made of wooden salad bowls. “They blasted this with dynamite,” smiles María José, aware that this would never be permitted today.
The restaurant itself is dominated by another Manrique trademark – an immense window that overlooks the gardens of the castle and the glittering blue seas of the harbour. This is the first Michelin five-fork rated restaurant on the island, and the centre for many culinary events on the island.
San José Castle presents one of the best restaurants in Arrecife to eat, have a drink or enjoy a coffee in a unique atmosphere.
The castle restaurant is open Wednesday to Saturday from 12:30pm – 11pm and Sunday to Tuesday from 11am – 6pm. The Bar-Cafeteria opens Sunday to Tuesday from 11am – 6pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 11am – 11:30pm.
The tasting menu which includes 3 appetisers, 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 sweets is priced at €48.00 per person. There is, of course, a regular menu with a whole host of stunning dishes to choose from as well as an extensive drinks list.
BOOKING INFORMATION
The Castillo de San José is open every day from 11am until 6pm (except December 24th & 31st when the museum closes at 5pm) and takes approximately 1 hour to see it all.
Entry is €5 per adult, €2.50 per child (ages 7 – 12) and free for children under the age of 6. There is a discount for residents which is €3 per adult and €1.50 per child.
You can buy tickets online from the official website here:
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