Montañas Del Fuego Timanfaya

Located in strategic positions in the On the exterior, which is also curved, there is a wall Montañas del Fuego, we can see the marking the entrance. The architectonic whole is covered in figure of a devil made of rusted iron. This dry, carved stone, enhancing the dark tonalities of the volcanic MONTAÑAS DEL FUEGO archetypal symbol of Timanfaya, created by César Manrique, forms an inextricable part of material. FIRE MOUNTAINS the tragic yet sublime nature seen in the island’s César Manrique uses a profusion TIMANFAYA volcanic landscapes. of circular, sinuous shapes, Creator: César Manrique Islote de Hilario for both architectonic and Opened in: 1970 ornamental reasons, in a clear Location: Timanfaya National Park All along Timanfaya, there allusion to the traditional “socos” Municipalities of Yaiza and Tinajo are what vulcanologists call that are used to protect plants geothermic anomalies: unusual from the constant winds. The Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) or Timanfaya temperatures in the earth’s form part of a broad area affected by the volcanic eruptions that surface coming from the subsoil, struck Lanzarote between 1730 and 1736, with subsequent actually from a residual Ruta de los Volcanes (The Route of the Volcanoes) eruptions in 1824. This long eruptive process, one of the chamber of magma close to Within the National Park, there is a 14-kilometre route for most relevant and spectacular in the Earth’s volcanic history, the surface. The main centre visitors. The trail, which fits perfectly into its surroundings, drastically changed the island’s morphology, leaving a quarter of these anomalies is located runs along the main centre of the eruptions, where there is of it almost completely buried under a thick layer of lava and on the Islote de Hilario, where a concentration of unique elements of great geological and ash. its effects are shown to curious visitors by the famous geysers, geomorphic interest, such as hornitos (little ovens), caves and The volcanic landscape produced by such volcanic activity the burning of scrub bushes or by cooking food using the malpaíses (badlands). has a total perimeter of 174 kms², although the area protected earth’s natural heat. as the Timanfaya National Park only covers an area of 51 kms², The extreme fragility of the This part of Timanfaya takes its surroundings made it necessary to where the most important eruptions occurred. name from the Lanzaroteño create a pathway that would be The perimeter of the main eruptions is made up of extensive known as Hilario, a character capable, within minimum human areas of impassable lava (the jagged ‘aa’ lava, known in from Lanzarote legend, who intervention, to synthesise their Lanzarote as malpaíses and ‘pahoe-hoe’ or corded lava) which lived here like a hermit after the beauty and magnitude. The Ruta have barely suffered any kind of human impact. This, together Spanish-American War in the de los Volcanes was completed Philippines with only his camel under the supervision of César with the island’s particular climate, has resulted in the original for company. Hilario planted Manrique and Jesús Soto in 1968. volcanic landscape being practically unaltered even now, acting a fig tree which, though it as a veritable laboratory for investigating the colonisation grew, never bore fruit because Echadero de Camellos (The Camels’ Resting Place) processes of both flora and fauna. “flowers could not feed on Just as important as the geological phenomena themselves flames”. Inside the Restaurante There are numerous documentary historical accounts that describe “El Diablo”, there is a unique is the way of showing them! Visited since the 19th century the volcanic phenomena that occurred on the island. Without doubt, work of art: an artificial glass by travellers and scientists, there is a deep-rooted culture the best-known is the account given by the priest in Yaiza, Don Andrés soco containing camel bones amongst the Lanzaroteños of making this once-in-a-lifetime Lorenzo Curbelo, which was reproduced by the German geologist and a fig tree on top of the black Leopold Von Buch in 1825 in his book “Physical Description of the visit absolutely unique. The camel rides on the volcano are, volcanic ash. This is a homage to Canary Islands” without doubt, one of the most classic aspects of Lanzarote the legend of Hilario. “On the first of September 1730, says Don Lorenzo Curbelo, between and combine the exoticism of the mode of transport with the 9 and 10 o’clock at night, the earth suddenly opened close to spectacular nature of the surroundings. Timanfaya, two leagues from Yaiza. On that first night, an enormous Restaurante “El Diablo” mountain rose up from the heart of the earth, and from its summit Timanfaya receives over one there escaped flames that continued to burn for nineteen days (…) In the Islote de Hilario, we find the artistic influence of million visitors every year; They were accompanied by a great quantity of lapilli, dust and ash that César Manrique at the Restaurante “El Diablo”. Completed in spread over the surrounding areas and from all sides drops of water 1970, this solid building has a circular floor with glass walls that together with the Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del fell as rain. The thunderclaps and explosions that accompanied those illuminate the interior and act as a kind of mirador looking out phenomena, the darkness caused by the mass of ash and smoke that Teide, it is Spain’s most visited covered the island, forced the inhabitants to flee more than once…” over the volcanic landscape. National Park. This represents an important source of revenue for the island’s economy. General Information Opening Hours: 09:00 h - 17:45 h Last Visit on the Route of the Volcanoes: 17:00 h Summer Timetable: (from 15 July to 15 September): 09:00 h -19:00 h* Last Visit on the Route of the Volcanoes: 18:00 h *In the summer months (July, August and September), due to the large influx of visitors, we would recommend paying individual visits during afternoon hours to avoid crowds. Facilities: Restaurant Car Park Coffee Shop Panoramic View Bar Route of the Volcanoes Gift Shop Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism Recommendations: Route: Please remember at all times that you are in a National Park, a very fragile protected natural space of great ecological value. We would MONTAÑAS DEL FUEGO ask you to follow the instructions of the staff of the Centre. Please FIRE MOUNTAINS do not leave the signposted routes and do not stop outside the areas specifically set aside for this purpose. Protection: You are in a place, the natural, cultural and heritage values TIMANFAYA of which are recognised and protected by law. You are visiting Property of Cultural Interest in the category of Monuments which is inside the Timanfaya National Park. Please be respectful with the environment. Visitors: Please allow other visitors to carry out their visit in comfort and without holdups. Do not obstruct the way unnecessarily. Vehicles: Please follow the instructions of the staff of the Centre when parking your vehicle. Water: Water is scarce. Please do not waste it. Information Material: If you are not going to use it, please do not throw it away. Return it to where you picked it up so that it can be re-used. Help us to Protect the Environment: Please do not leave authorised areas. Please do not touch plants nor take away volcanic material or any other object. Please place paper, cigarette ends or other waste matter in the litter bins. Please do not smoke except in outdoor areas. Safety: The car park is situated on a slope. It is necessary to park always in parallel and to leave your car in gear. Strong winds are frequent in the area. Open the doors and the boot of your vehicle with caution. Please respect the safety distance indicated by the staff in the geothermic demonstrations. Touching the bars of the natural oven is prohibited because of the high temperatures of the same. Please pay attention to the signs. ENGLISH You will find more detailed and full information in the Official Guide to the Art, Culture and Tourist Centres, on sale in the shops in the Centres. paper. ecological on Printed 2009 March www.centrosturisticos.com.

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