This year Teguise celebrates 600 years since it was named capital of Lanzarote. So we want to tell you more from the city that was our capital for years.
Old capital of the island
Teguise is situated in the middle of the island, and the municipality is extend from the East cost to the West coast of the island. In an odd way, Teguise grew up backs to the sea and one of its main points was that it was protected by the mountains that helped to be safe from the pirate attacks. On the top of Guanapay mountain, nowadays we can see Santa Barbara´s Castle that in the past was a vigilance point because from here you can see most of the island’s coast.
The main reason that the inhabitants of Lanzarote fled from the coast to found their first capital, was the continuous harassment suffered there. In first place by all those ships that came in search of slaves, and then the conquerors who wanted to control the island and, as we told earlier, the attacks of pirates in search of treasures, food and the precious lichen known as Orchilla that served to dye.
Historic heritage of Teguise
The Church is located in the center of Teguise, known as „Nuestra señora de Guadalupe“ church was the main church of the island for years. It was built in the sixteenth century and is located in Plaza de la Constitución, where there are several buildings of great interest, such as the Spínola Palace. The old founders of the city did not follow any planning and around the churches they were placing the houses. The result is what we can see today, a network of alleys and narrow alleys that give it a mystical air. We could say that the historic center of Teguise is one of the most beautiful corners of the Canary Islands.
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It was capital until 1852 when it was transferred to Arrecife, because it was time to open up to the sea and see all the good things that this would bring us. Even so, Teguise continued to be the economic, cultural and social center of Lanzarote.
Nowadays, it still hosts a large number of cultural events and is the based of some of the island’s museums. The Castillo de Guanapay has become the Piracy Museum. In the Spinola Palace we can find the Timple Museum. Inside there are several pieces that have been made by different craftsmen, as well as a concert hall. In the convent of Santo Domingo different art exhibitions are usually exhibited and it has been chosen to perform different concerts.
Therefore we can commemorate these 600 years of Teguise supporting that in spite of give the capital to Arrecife, Teguise never ceased to win importance in terms of cultural activities that has been developed in the island.
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