Holidays on Manriques Lanzarote
There are plenty of attractive holiday destinations around the world. But few can match the cultural attractions of Lanzarote, which is located in the Canary Islands. As this Spanish outpost is home to the many creations of a well known, locally born artist called C?sar Manrique. Who had a profound influence over the development of tourism on the island.
As a popular holiday destination for the beach crowd Lanzarote has a rich cultural background as well,and with an excellent choice of Lanzarote holiday villas finding accommodation on the island will not be a chore
It?s impossible to visit Lanzarote without coming across the name of C?sar Manrique. His presence is ubiquitous – right from the airport which he had a hand in designing through to the white colour that all of the apartments and holiday villas in Lanzarote are painted. And it also thanks largely to him that the island is not covered in high rise buildings and apartment complexes. Whilst advertising billboards are also noticeable by their absence.
Manrique was born in the island capital of Arrecife in 1919 and developed a deep love for his birthplace from a very young age. Fostered by long summers spent on the beach at Famara in the north of the island, where his family kept a holiday home. And where the huge 8km long bay is flanked by the majestic sight of the Famara massif cliff range.
Against his parents wishes Manrique left for the University of Belle Artes in Madrid to study – and here he hooked up with other members of the Spanish surrealist movement. Becoming an important force within this school. Going on to accept an invitation from the Rockefellers to go and exhibit his work in New York, the modern art world’s capital city during the 1960?s. Where he also became a contemporary of prime movers such as Andy Warhol.
In the late 1960?s though mass market tourism and package holidays were just starting to take off. As General Franco opened Spain up in order to secure much needed foreign currency. Manrique, fearing that his birthplace could become buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartment blocks, returned to Lanzarote – and began his campaign for controlled development on the island.
Upon his return Manrique set about creating an environment that would be acceptable and not detract from the culture of the island, but at the same time allow for tourst development and in a visionary blend of nature and construction he ha left the island with a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Additional information about available Lanzarote self catering apartments can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.
Tags: Destinantions, holidays, Lanzarote, Spain, travel
May 19, 2010
Exploring Manriques Lanzarote
There are many fascinating holiday destinations around the world. But few can match the varied cultural delights of little Lanzarote, the small Spanish owned Canary Island that is located off the coast of Africa. Whose development into a modern tourist destination has been largely shaped by the influence of a local artist called C?sar Manrique.
Its not unusual for tourist to simply see this stunning island as a sun kissed beach destination but Lanzarote boasts a quite unusual cultural side which often goes un-missed in the rush to the beaches,and with an excellent choice of Lanzarote villas there will be no shortage of holiday accommodation if you book early enough
Anyone who visits Lanzarote soon encounters the name of C?sar Manrique as his influence is everywhere. Starting right from the airport, where one of his best known giant wind toy sculptures is located, through to their accommodation. As it is thanks to him that all of the apartments and villas in Lanzarote are painted a uniform white colour. Whilst there are no high rise buildings or ad billboards blotting the landscape.
Manrique was born in 1919 in the capital city of Arrecife and developed a life long love affair with Lanzarote from a very young age. His family owned a summer house in the beach resort of Famara, which is located in then north of the island and which is noted for its natural beauty. And here the young Manrique would gaze at the reflection of the huge Famara massif cliff range in the ebbing surf and rock pools.
The young Manrique went on to study art in Madrid, against his parent’s wishes, before becoming involved with the Spanish surrealist movement in the 1950?s. A brave move in Franco?s Spain at the time. Before heading off to New York under the patronage of the Rockefellers to study and exhibit there. Where he rubbed shoulders with contemporaries such as Andy Warhol.
However back in Spain along the Costas and in the Canaries tourism was starting to take its toll. Package holidays had just been launched and lots of land was becoming submerged beneath hotels and apartments. A fate Manrique was determined to avert for Lanzarote. So he returned home and began to marshal local opinion for a more controlled approach to tourist development on the island.
It was clear to Manrique when he returned home that the idylic island lifestyle was about to change and whilst wanting to ensure that Lanzarote’s unique volcanic terrain would remain undisturbed Manrique was also aware that tourism was a necessary evil in order for the locals to survive, as until then fishing and agriculture had sustained the population. So he fought to ensure that resorts on the island would remain well contained on the south coast whilst also creating seven unique centres of art and culture around Lanzarote which remain the most popular attractions to this day.
Further details about available Lanzarote apartment accommodation can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.
Tags: Destinantions, holidays, Lanzarote, Spain, travel