Lanzarote's Architectural Style

The island of Lanzarote gets its architectural style from its mother land, Spain. Part of the Canary Islands located just off the north-west coast of Africa, Lanzarote has maintained a very typical Spanish style which, whilst not quite as distinctive as mainland Spain, still clearly displays evidence of its colonial past.

For a few hundreds from the 8th Century, Spain was conquered by the Moors; a north-west African and Muslim population. Therefore once Lanzarote was colonised by the Spanish, with them they brought the Moorish architectural style which was now a part of Spanish culture. This style in turn influenced Lanzarote's architecture, which is still evident through the thick walls, lows, flat roofs and the hidden patios which characterise the island's buildings.

Although most of these hidden, tiled patios are now privately owned, a fine example which can be viewed by the public is the Palacio de Marques in Teguise which dates from 1455. Not just as fine example of their patios, this house also happens to be the oldest building on the island and so is well worth a visit. Surrounded by a thick wall similar to dry-stone walling, these patios provided a cool and private area to rest during the hot summer days.

For the best examples of the Spanish Colonial style, then the old capital of Teguise which is situated to the centre of the island. This town, which was once the home to the island's most important politicians and leaders, offers plenty of fine examples of Lanzarote's colonial architecture. The Palacio Spinola boasts intricately carved shutters, and inside the superior internal balcony still stands.

The typical style of traditional Lanzarote house is rather simple; just one storey high, and with walls made from local, thick volcanic rock which have been white-washed to reflect the strong rays of the hot sun. The window frames and doors are painted blue or green, which is a traditional that dates back when left-over boat paint was used. All these features help give Lanzarote its strong and pleasant architectural identity.

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