The Tour

The entrance is formed by a labyrinthine set of robust, curved volumes, placed around a central structure in the form of a taro, the virtue of which is to occlude the view of the interior and therefore provoke a surprise effect on visitors.

On crossing the threshold, we are met with a view over the whole enclave. The interior structure is circular, a possible metaphor for the island’s volcanic craters. One of the main characteristics of this recreated amphitheatre is the walls, made up of terraces descending from the ground, in levels displaying different varieties of cactus.

A double staircase opens at our feet, inviting us to walk the sinuous stone paths and flights of stairs that connect the various landscaped areas in the interior.

At centre stage, we can see a series of monoliths made of compacted volcanic ash, which have remained intact as evidence of the quarry’s past extraction activities. The marked sculptural nature of these monoliths harmonises with the capricious, original shapes of the cacti. As an idyllic counterpoint to the aridity of the landscape, there are small ponds complete with water lilies and colourful fish.

The large metal cactus at the entrance and the wrought iron gate stand out as unique referential and emblematic elements that presage the majestic and surprising character of the interior.

The Cactus Garden is a magnificent example of an architectonic intervention integrated into the landscape. César Manrique created this audacious architectonic complex whilst maintaining the unshakeable pairing of art and nature that is so tangible in all of his spatial interventions.

The selection of this special landscape, as with so many of Manrique’s works, dictated the aesthetic solutions adopted as well as the contents of the same, which have a sense of continuity and integration with the surrounding landscape.

The origins of the Jardín de Cactus date back to the 1970s, when César Manrique, then in full creative dialogue with the island’s landscape, turned his attention to the old quarry at Guatiza.The artist encouraged the Cabildo of Lanzarote, a body with which he was working very closely, to acquire the land, wall in the complex and restore the traditional windmill that crowned the enclave. However, owing to various vicissitudes, the original project to build a new Centre of Art, Culture and Tourism would have to wait until the 1980s. The Jardín de Cactus was finally opened in 1990 and became César Manrique’s final spatial work.

JARDÍN DE CACTUS (Cactus Garden)Creator: César ManriqueOpened in: 1990Location: Guatiza. Municipality of Teguise

Blending into the wall, there are two important constructions, the main characteristic of which the roof in the form of a cupola: one intended to be a shop, the other as the Centre’s cafe. Inside the latter, we can admire the elegant spiral staircase and the central sculpture (formed of steels branches and glass balls, like chained molecules), which emerges from a small fountain.

Distinct artistic disciplines combine in this unique space in an attempt to perform a totalising didactic function. Sculpture, painting, architecture… César Manrique uses different stimuli to make visitors have an intimate, enriching experience.

Note the quantity of additional innovative elements (lamps, doorknobs, dustbins, etc.) that can be found in the interior of the Centre and have nothing to do with conventional models. Designed exclusively for the Garden, they bear a striking similarity to the cacti that they accompany.

The Cactus Garden is located in Guatiza, in the municipality of Teguise, in the middle of an agricultural landscape characterised by extensive tunera (cactus) plantations dedicated to the cultivation of cochineal.

In the palas (blades) of the tunera cacti (a species of prickly pear also known as chumberas or nopales ) a parasitic insect called the cochineal is cultivated (Dactylopius coccus) from which, through a careful manufacturing process, an intense carmine colouring is obtained. Traditionally used as a dye in the textile industry, this natural colouring is currently greatly used un the food and cosmetic industries. Despite the fact that the Vega de Guatiza is home to the large cochineal cultivation area, this is a ‘crop’ on the decline owing to competition from the industrial synthetic colourings market.

COFFE SHOP RECOMMENDATIONS:Route: Please follow the paths and stairways set aside for visits.Protection: You are in a place, the natural, cultural and heritage values of which are recognised and protected by law. You are visiting Property of Cultural Interest in the category of Historical Gardens. Please be respectful with the environment.Visitors: Please allow other visitors to carry out their visit in comfort and without holdups. Do not obstruct the way unnecessarily.Vehicles: Please follow the instructions of the staff of the Centre when parking your vehicle.Water: Water is scarce. Please do not waste it.Information Material: If you are not going to use it, please do not throw it away. Return it to where you picked it up so that it can be re-used.

Help us to Protect the Environment:Please keep off the garden areas.Please do not touch plants nor take away any object whatsoever.Please place paper, cigarette ends or other waste matter in the litter bins.Please do not throw coins or objects of any kind into the interior pools.Please do not smoke except in outdoor areas.

Safety:Walk along the terraces of the Garden with caution and keep a safe distance with respect to the edges. There is a risk of falling.Use the stairs with caution as the steps are uneven.Be careful with the cactus thorns.

ENGLISH

C e n t r e s o f A r t , C u l t u r e a n d T o u r i s m

JARDÍN DE CACTUSCACTUS GARDEN

You will find more detailed and full information in the Official Guide to the Art, Culture and Tourist Centres, on sale in the shops in the Centres. Dec

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OPENING HOURSCentre/ Coffee Shop/ Tapas: 10:00 – 17:45 h.

Summer timetable: (from 1 July to 30 September): 09:00 – 17:45 h.**In the summer months (July, August and September),

due to the large influx of visitors, we would recommend paying individualvisits during afternoon hours to avoid crowds.

CactLanzarote @CactLanzarote

Jardín de Cactus

For further information / recommendation:www.centrosturisticos.com

FACILITIESCoffee ShopBarShopCar ParkPanoramic view