It’s best not to extol the virtues of Arrecife too loudly when exploring the cobbled streets and atmospheric squares of Teguise. You might just end up ruffling a local Canarian’s feathers.
For here, they regard Lanzarote’s ‘new’ capital (it has in fact been the seat of island government for some 150 years!), as little more than a callow upstart.
They have a point though.
A Brief History of Teguise
Unlike it’s more modern coastal counterpart, Teguise (or La Villa as it is known by it’s residents) is steeped in history and can lay claim to being the oldest Spanish settlement in the whole of the Canaries, dating back to 1402.
Named after the last Princess of the native, pre-Spanish Guanche inhabitants, Teguise was the island’s top dog until 1852.
It’s central position, high ground and commanding views gave it a tactical and defensive advantage over coastal towns like Arrecife, so securing it’s status as Lanzarote’s capital for some 450 years.
Blood in the Streets
For many centuries these strategic considerations were of paramount importance as Lanzarote was subjected to wave after wave of invasion by plundering pirates.
This on-going pillage reached a violent crescendo in 1618 when an armada of 5,000 Algerian buccaneers overran the town.
A small street called La Sangre, which means blood in English, serves as a memorial to the violent massacre that ensued and can still be found beside Teguise’s main church, the Neustro Senora de Guadalupe, just off the central Plaza de la Constitucion.
Modern Day Invaders
Today Teguise is only ever invaded by shoppers — as the town plays host every Sunday to the island’s biggest street market.
Tourists and locals alike pack the streets throughout the morning, the hustle and bustle of bargain hunters providing an echo of Teguise’s more prosperous past.
For the rest of the week though Teguise is tumbleweed territory.
An absence of hotels in the town, combined with the fact that few organised coach tours bother to stop here, results in hushed, deserted streets and squares; where the past appears to be perfectly preserved — if not frozen in time.
This, of course, makes Teguise perfect for sight seeing and anyone looking to discover the real Lanzarote should head straight here, to see just why the town was declared a site of historic and architectural importance by the Spanish government back in the 1980’s.
But remember — just don’t mention Arrecife when you’re there!
Things To Do
Looking for things to do in the town of Teguise, check out our Sightseeing Guide.