Many of our regular visitors will already be au fait with the imaginative creations of Lanzarote ‘s favourite son César Manrique But they may well not yet be aware that they can now visit his last home on the island, located in Haria, which sits on the floor of the Valley of 1000 Palms in the North of Lanzarote.
Whilst everyone knows about Manrique’s former home, now the César Manrique Foundation in Tahiche, which was famously built into the lava flow over five volcanic chambers the artist`s house in Haria is much more intimate and personal.
It’s located beside the barranco or dry river bed that runs through the heart of this picturesque village and in some ways has a slightly eerie feeling about it, as it has been preserved, almost Marie Celeste like, as it was on the day when Manrique left if for the final time before dying in a car crash on September 25th 1992. To the extent that his clothes still hang in the bedroom wardrobes and opened books adorn the sitting room table.
Manrique moved here as his original home in Tahiche became a popular stopping off point for the first visitors to Lanzarote during the 1980’s. And it was here that he created some f his best work, as across the garden from the main house in Haria lies the artist’s studio, replete with canvases, paints and his various tools and implements.
The garden also houses an atypical ‘Manrique-esque’ swimming pool and an example from the famous Art Cars project, where Manrique was invited to design a customized car by the German Manufacturers BMW. So anyone with an interest in his work will find a visit fascinating.
It’s worth noting though that the opening hours here are a little restricted with admissions only available from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Tickets cost 10 euros for adults and five euros for children. It’s also possible to buy a ticket for combined entrance to the César Manrique Foundation and his house in Haria for 15 euros.
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