Even if you didn’t plan on seeing it, the eye catching Monumento al Campesino is in the geographical center of Lanzarote begging adventurous day trippers to take a closer look.
At first glance you will see the Monument to Fertility, created by the world renowned and beloved local sculptor, César Manrique. This avant-garde piece was thought up by Manrique and executed by Jesus Soto in 1968, made to withstand the strong winds that blast the islands.
The Fecundity Monument is made up of old fishing boat water tanks and stands almost 50 feet high.
It may look like many things, or nothing coherent at all depending on your angle, but it is meant to represent an ancient farmer – the conejero – with its most important companion in agricultural labor the camel, who together brought this land to life amidst adversity.
These workers toiled on arid volcanic land to produce crops and transform the landscape into what it is today, the utterly unique La Geria.
Farm equipment sits at the base of the sculpture providing more to the story.
You can climb within the monument to get a different and deeper perspective of this masterpiece.
Adjacent to the sculpture is the House Museum of the Peasant Farmer, a 300 year old farm house that was restored and enlarged by Manrique.
The artist has been involved with preserving Canarian architecture since the 60s, which traditionally includes whitewashed walls, green windows, chimney and window shutters.
Inside the museum there is a collection of tools used by the peasant farmers, and an opportunity to get hands on.
Visitors for a very affordable price can try out local traditions, such as creating their own ceramics or cooking traditional cuisine.
Further investigation will reveal a stunning spiral staircase leading deep within an old stone quarry and through a volcanic tunnel.
Underground is a jameo, a cave made by a bubble in the lava, where the Monumento Restaurant is located.
The menu offers local cuisine such as fresh fish, gofio – which is made from roasted maize flour, smoked goat’s cheese with cactus jam, and crisp sticks of smoked goat’s cheese with cactus jam.
Local wine is available for purchase, along with folk art, and traditional music.
Good to know:
+There is no entry fee for the monument or museum
+Open daily 10AM-5:45PM