Mirador del RÃo
The Mirador del Río is an architecturally attractive vantage point in the far north of the Canary Island of Lanzarote. It was the time of its completion in mid -1970s as one of the greatest modern buildings in the world.
History and character
The Mirador del Río is located on a 475 meters above the sea level point of the cliffs of over 600 meters high Famaramassivs. The 1973 by lanzarote African artist César Manrique, with the assistance of Jesús Rafael Soto and the architect Eduardo Caceres, designed Overlook ( official opening 1974), which Manrique is built into the rock in the typical style, consists of a parapet located above the abyss, a café with large panoramic windows, a souvenir shop and a viewing platform at the top. At right angles were omitted; all the rooms, even the parking lot, the viewing platform and the stairs are round.
The far-reaching views over the cliffs and over the approximately two kilometers wide, name -giving strait Río (Spanish for river ) over to the Chinijo archipelago with the islands of La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, and the Roque del Este, made the Mirador del Río into a tourist attraction. At the foot of the slope ( Risco de Famara ), with its incurred in the course of millennia bizarre run-off, is one of the oldest salt mines in the Canaries. The peculiar red of some of its segments is due to the tiny brine shrimp. To the west adjacent to the salt flats you can see the white Playa del Risco. He can be reached only by boat or on a serpentine -rich trail down the steep wall.
During the Spanish- American War in the late 19th century gun batteries were at that point where is now the Mirador del Rio, is installed. To the east of the viewpoint we can still find remnants of it today.
Trivia
The Lookout 1979 was one of the key locations where the TV series Timm Thaler, who opened the series of multi-part Children's Christmas TV series. In the Faustian tale TV, Mirador del Río is home to the villain played by Horst Frank.
Pictures
View of the Risco de Famara
Top viewing platform
Bar
Internal gear