*Corpus Christi is a Catholic event and celebrates the holy Eucharist (the breaking of the bread and drinking of the wine) which symbolises Christ’s last supper.

Within the Canary Islands and Lanzarote, this event now involves ‘Street Carpets’ which are made out of salt. These salt carpets can be found along the seafront in Arrecife, some can also be seen in Tias.

Puerto de Los Marmoles is close by, where you can get the ferry to Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and cruise liners sail from here too.

The pleasant seafront promenade links El Reducto beach with El Cable beach to the west. The beaches have fine pale sand and remarkably calm clear water.

Teguise

Teguise was the former Capital of the Island up until 1852 when the position conceded to Arrecife. The Town is renowned as one of the oldest Spanish Towns in the Canary Islands. Not long after Lanzarote was conquered by Spain back early in the 15^th Century, Teguise was established as the Capital of the Island because of its strategically significant location, built on high land with an excellent defensive position.

The Town’s name derives from a native Princess of the Island named Teguise, who wedded a member of Juan Béthencourt’s family, the French Nobleman who conquered Lanzarote and the Canaries.  The municipalityof Teguise, which comprises the holiday resort Costa Teguiseon the southeast coast and the area around Famaraon the north shore, is the largest of the Island. Teguise is linked to a variety of musical instruments, including the timplewhich is a unique five-string guitar that was invented here, it was, most of the Canary culture originated in Teguise.

The narrow, impeccable cobbled streets, spacious squares, an impressive Parish Church, two historic Convents and some beautifully restored domestic buildings –some with the customary wooden balcony as seen on other Islands of the archipelago – this little, serene Town has retained much of its Colonial charm, grandeur and dignity.

The grand Town square popularly known as La Plaza San Miguel is adorned with two stone lions that give the air of authority by guarding the place. It is here that every Sunday the lively market takes place, vendors are plentiful, selling locally produced wares and artists exhibit and sell their work.Folklore shows are often performed in the square, which generally attract a wide audience. Standing opposite the Church is the recently restored Palacio Spinola, which takes up one side of the Town square. It isa striking mid-18^thCentury Renaissance mansion that was previously home to various noble families.

It was acquired by the Town council in 1984 and restored under the supervision of Manrique and converted into a museum. In 1989, it also became the official residence of the Government of the Canary Islands. The Palacio Spinolahas a dual role as museum and residence; occasionally it also houses art exhibitions.

The Parish Church Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe - also known as Iglesia de San Miguel is the oldest on the Island, built by Maciot de Béthencourt; it has been continually renovated with additions paid for by families who were buried in them. The renovations finished in 1884, but in 1909, it was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt by the Church faithful, in keeping with the original structure of the building. It features a huge bell tower built of brown volcanic rock, topped with a white octagonal belfry, which has a balcony running round it, and an amazing stone doorway on the south side. The mostly neo-Gothic interior features a great deal of white plasterwork and dark volcanic stone pillars, is separated into three naves and houses a statue of the Virgin Mary of Guadeloupe.

At the rear of the Church, the Callejon de la Sangre(the alley of blood) is a horrific reminder of a dreadful pirate raid in 1586, where, many men and a large number of women and children were killed.