Information
Landmark: César Manrique FoundationCity: Lanzarote
Country: Canary Islands
Continent: Europe
César Manrique Foundation, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Europe
Overview
The César Manrique Foundation (Fundación César Manrique) is part museum, part memorial, celebrating the life and bold creations of Lanzarote’s most beloved artist and architect, César Manrique, whose former home still holds splashes of volcanic rock in its whitewashed walls.In Taro de Tahíche, the foundation sits in Manrique’s former home-a masterpiece where sunlight spills across volcanic stone, capturing his vision of blending art, nature, and architecture.The foundation champions environmental conservation, nurtures artistic creation, and safeguards cultural heritage, all while honoring Manrique’s deep imprint on Lanzarote-like the whitewashed walls that glow under the island sun.César Manrique (1919–1992), a visionary artist, architect, and environmentalist from Lanzarote, filled his work with the island’s sunlit colors and volcanic forms.He weaves human-made structures into the island’s jagged volcanic terrain, champions sustainable tourism that respects the land, and has left his mark with landmarks like Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Río, and the Cactus Garden.Manrique’s vision still shapes Lanzarote, keeping it a place where black lava meets whitewashed walls in harmony.The foundation sits in Manrique’s own home, a 1968 build set right on the black, rippled lava left by the island’s 18th‑century eruptions.This one-of-a-kind structure shows how deeply he’s devoted to blending art with the natural world, like ivy climbing over hand-carved stone.The upper floor showcases traditional Canarian style, with bright whitewashed walls, warm wooden accents, and wide windows framing the stark, black volcanic hills.Here you’ll find Manrique’s art studio, his personal belongings, and a collection of his works.Below, five natural volcanic bubbles link together through tunnels hewn straight from the lava.You’ll find a lively lounge filled with bright colors and leafy plants, a sunlit pool framed by volcanic rock and Manrique’s unmistakable artistic touches, and open-air spaces where palm trees sway beside the water.Sculptures and installations echo his style, while inside, the foundation displays an eclectic mix of works-Manrique’s own paintings, sketches, and sculptures charting his creative journey, pieces by friends like Picasso, Miró, and Klee, and photographs and documents that trace his life and environmental vision.Temporary exhibits keep the place fresh, exploring art, culture, and the natural world.The César Manrique Foundation works to keep Manrique’s legacy alive-sharing his art and his vision of blending creativity with nature’s rhythms-while championing sustainable growth and protecting the landscapes of Lanzarote and beyond.It hosts exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and lively cultural events that spark conversation and imagination, and it partners with schools and universities, publishing books and essays on art, architecture, and the environment.Practical information: You’ll find it in Taro de Tahíche, just outside Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote, where whitewashed walls catch the bright Atlantic sun.We’re open every day from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, when the last bit of sunlight slips through the door.Entrance costs about €10 for adults, while kids get a discount, and you can grab a combo ticket to see other Manrique spots.Give yourself at least an hour and a half-two if you can-to see the foundation properly.Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes; some paths wind over rough lava rock.Go early or late to steer clear of the midday crowds.Here, you’ll step into César Manrique’s world, where his art and architecture blend effortlessly with the island’s raw, volcanic beauty.If you love art, bold architecture, or care about protecting the environment, this is the place to be-where Lanzarote’s distinct culture comes alive and the salt-tinged air still carries the spirit of Manrique, whose vision continues to draw both locals and travelers to the foundation at the heart of the island’s cultural and environmental life.
