Discount Hotels Lanzarote - Canary Islands
Historical interest: Lanzarote - Canary Islands
    
The story goes that Lanzarote got its name from a Genoese sailor called Lancelotto,
who landed here in 1312. The inhabitants, the Guanches, welcomed the new visitors,
which led to further explorations to the islands by the Portuguese, Spanish and
Italians around this time. It was the expedition of 1312 that first verified the
existence of all thirteen Canary Islands. There are seven major and six smaller
islands - the smaller islands being Lobos, Roque del Oeste, La Graciosa, Montana
Clara and Alegranza.
The Spanish and Portuguese nations returned to the islands numerous times,
but they were here as pirates, robbing the islands and searching for riches
and glory. The huge cave, Cueva de los Verdes, in the north of Lanzarote is
where the Guanches took refuge while the attacks took place.
In 1404, the island was conquered by Juan Bethencourt of Spain. In 1408, he
went on to conquer the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura; however, it took
almost another century before Spain could conquer the remaining islands. They
have remained under Spanish rule ever since.
The most notorious event on the island was also one of the world's most devastating
and longest volcanic eruptions, which lasted from September 1730 until April
1736. Within just eight square kilometres, 25 volcanoes erupted. The area where
the eruptions took place is now Timanfaya National Park. Prior to the eruptions,
the south of Lanzarote was a fertile place of vineyards, agriculture, cattle
farming and many peaceful villages. Now it's a dead area of black rock and dried
lava.
Today, despite the ever-increasing number of tourists visiting the Canary Islands,
Lanzarote's local authorities have strict control on the development the island.
Houses must be painted white, though the wooden window and door frames or wooden
shutters can be either of two shades of green. There are no billboard advertisements
and no highrise buildings.
Selection of hotels in this region:
H10 Rubicon Palace | | Paradise Island | | Iberostar Papagayo Hotel | | Iberostar Lanzarote Park | | Sun Park | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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