This Saturday sees the sixth annual recreation of a pirate invasion at the Castillo de Santa Barbara in Teguise. Whilst the event is more of an athletic undertaking, with a 2.5 kilometre run up the side of the volcano, it is based on the reconstruction of historical invasions that the residents of Teguise were subjected to in centuries past.
The castle´s construction in 1588 was specifically to provide a secure fortification for locals to hide in whenever any of the numerous pirate invasions took place. Not only was Lanzarote targeted by Berbers, but the French and the English also took it in turns to attack the island.
The reconstruction takes place from 18.00 onwards on Saturday 4th September and will take the estimated fifty participants around 45 minutes to attempt their storming of the castle. The majority of those taking part are local sportsmen and women, many of whom will be scaling the steep hillside accompanied by their children, in this event that combines history, entertainment and athletic ability.
