Guatiza

Template: Infobox district of a municipality in Spain / Maintenance / localidad

Guatiza is a place on the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Teguise belonging to the municipality. Guatiza has 839 inhabitants (as of 2011).

History

In and around Guatiza, and the more northerly neighbor Mala, spread large cactus fields behind low walls. Once they formed the basis for the wealth of the island: you bred the cochineal scale insect, which delivers up today so coveted and natural, red dye of carminic acid. Since the mid-18th century, Lanzarote is an important supplier of this raw material, including the dye for cosmetics is used, including the famous Campari owes its intense red color of the lice breed in Lanzarote. One kilo of carmine approximately 150,000 larvae must be scraped from the cacti. Still be found on the leaves of the prickly pear cactus small sacs, where farmers imprison the mother Scale insects, so that they do not do too much damage to the crops.

In Guatiza, which has propagated mainly along a Eucalyptus Avenue, the nave church of Santo Gusto is related to the onion tower-like top and a high lantern. Corners and edges of the small white house of worship are trimmed with black volcanic stone.

Jardín de Cactus

An attraction of the place is the Cactus Garden Cactus Garden on the northern outskirts of the village, which is recognized by an oversized metal cactus at the entrance. In 1989, the lanzarote African artist and conservationist César Manrique started assemble into these botanical gardens amidst the Opuntienfelder in a disused quarry - his last great work before his death. In 1990, the Cactus Garden was officially opened. There is a restored gofio mill at the northern edge. The cactus garden is terraced like an amphitheater created, even elements that are reminiscent of Japanese gardens that characterize the architecture. The ground covered volcanic lapilli, the nightly dew stored volcanic ash, as it is also used for the dryland farming. Overall thrive on 5000 square meters, more than 10,000 copies in 1400 different species of cacti. Architecturally sensitive Manrique has built also the associated bar-restaurant from the volcanic rock in the area.

• Views: César Manrique's Cactus Garden

Panoramic view

Mill

Stone sculpture

Designed bar-restaurant of Manrique

Stairs