El Convento de San Francisco is a Convent – which is one of two important Convents that dates back from the 16^th Century, built by Franciscan missionaries; it islocated at the south-eastern end of the Town. The interior is designed mainly in the Mudejar style; it has two naves – one large, one smaller and is separated by a sequence of ribbed arches. There are three altarpieces, a carved wooden pulpit and a volcanic stone font. It belongs to the Franciscan Order and the exterior is a resting place of the most significant people of Lanzarote. In 1984, it was transformed and turned into the Town art gallery displaying exhibitions of modern art.The San Francisco Convent, which was converted into a SacredArt Museum.

The other significant Convent is the Convent of Santo Domingo which is located at the south-western end of the Town. The main exterior features are its two façades and the insignias of the Dominican order in red stone over the wooden portal of the main entrance. The interior of the Convent has two naves that are separated by four arches of red and black volcanic stone, featuring an attractive Canary style main altar in one of the apses. These days, the abbey serves as a modern art gallery – the Centro de Arte– with exhibitions of works by famous International artists.

Beautifully renovated domestic buildings that date back from the 17^th and 18^th Centuries, with traditional architectural characteristics like whitewashed walls, corners of black or red volcanic stone, wooden doors and windows and the occasional wooden balcony can be seen in Teguise. The following buildings are particularly noteworthy: Palacio Herrera-Rojas, which currently houses an art gallery; Casa Parroquial, formerly a prison; the Casa Cuartel with itssnow-white balcony,was formerly an Army barracks, and Casa Torres.

The colossal Castillo de Santa Barbaratowers over the east of the Town (viewable from afar) and is sited on the edge of the extinct volcano Guanapay which is 1,395’ in height.It was first built in the 14^th Century as a watchtower to monitor both north and south coasts and was reconstructed a Century later.After the bloody incursion of Berber pirates in 1586 – it was reinforced and converted into a genuine fortress by the Italian master fortress builder Leonardo Torriani.

A coarse track that goes around the craters edge offers panoramic views (on a clear day) of the whole Island. Over the Centuries, this unyielding fortress played a vital role in safeguarding the population from sudden attacks, but by the 20th century it had become quite dilapidated and was renovated. The fortress was changed into a museum in 1991, devoted to the history of Canarian Emigration to America, housing an excellent collection of ethnographic exhibits.

Famara  

Famara is located in the north-west of the Island and is a little but well conserved fishing Village, which has a few of restaurants, cafes and bars. The beach (Playa De Famara) is a popular place for experienced wind surfers and Kite surfers. This is an excellent beach for beginners to learn on as it is around 7km long, so there is room for everyone. There is aSurfSchoolon the beach, which operates seven days a week for anyone who wants instruction. There is a large area of sand dunes opposite the beach, and a fantastic view of the mountains.

El Golfo

El Golfo is sited near the small fishing village of El Golfo in the south of Lanzarote. It is renowned for its green lagoon; this semi-circle shaped volcanic crater is filled with sea water– thus named due to the minerals and algae giving the water its bright green colour. There is a black sandy beach here which separates the lagoon from the sea.

 

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