Lanzarote Castles
Castles in Lanzarote
Lanzarote Castles
There are a few Castle dotted over the island of Lanzarote, they make brilliant tourist attractions and most have a museum and / or a tourist centre for the information and history regarding the castle.
Castle of Santa Barbara
The Castle of Santa Barbara (or Guanapay) is on the mountain of Guanapay, which is close to the La Villa de Teguise, it was built in the 16th century by Sancho de Herrera as a watchtower. The castle suffered many attacks by Corsairs and Pirates.
Morato Arraez mounted a siege, in 1586 - this caused such damages King Philip II charged Torriani - the engineer, with the buildings re-construction. Since 1596 the Castle has maintained the same structure.
The museum today has been dedicated to the emigration from the Canary Islands to America. It has seven galleries, in these you can contemplate the objects that the islanders carried on their long journey to a world that they imagined full of opportunities, the American continent.
The Castle of Santa Barbara is open Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10am till 4pm, Every other day 10am till 5pm during the winter months. During the summer hours it is open from 10am ill 4pm. There is a learning centre, shop and telescope to see the magnificent views!!!
For more information, telephone: 0034 928 845 001
Castillo de San Gabriel
The Castillo de San Gabriel was originally built in 1574, to defend Arrecife Harbour. It was completely destroyed however, just a few years later by Morato Arraez, the Algerian Pirate in 1586. In 1599 the castle was rebuilt and was being used for military purposes right up until the 1950s!!
The Castillo de San Gabriel is built on a island just off the town Arrecife, it is connected by a draw bridge to Arrecife.
The castle now houses an archaeological Museum and tourist centre.
Castillo de San Jose
In 1799, the Castillo de San Jose was built to protect the Harbour from Pirate Attack. However it never faced any real threat and was used as a gunpowder arsenal.
It remained in Military use until 1890, but then stood vacant, then in 1974 César Manrique converted the castle into a Modern Art Gallery and a Restaurant, It is now a lovely tourist attraction in Arrecife, in the Puerto Naos - Museo International de Arte Contemporáneo.
The Museum is open everyday from 11am till 9pm, and the castle is open everyday from 11am till 1am!!
For more information, please telephone: 0034 928 812321
Castillo de San Juan
The Castillo de San Juan, is the town's Museum of Contemporary Art, it is also known as well Castillo del Hambre, it show's several outstanding works of Cesar Manrique, this castle is among Arrecife's major attractions.
More Lanzarote links;
Lanzarote Site Map | ||
Lanzarote Castles
Castles in Lanzarote Canary Islands Spain