Fundación César Manrique

Fundación César Manrique stands among the most distinctive sights in Teguise, Lanzarote — a house-turned-museum built directly into a hardened lava flow, now run as a cultural foundation dedicated to the work of artist and architect César Manrique.

Where exactly is the foundation located?

The building sits in Tahíche, a village within the municipality of Teguise, in the central part of Lanzarote. This is where Manrique chose to settle after years in New York, building a home that would become a manifesto of his lifelong idea: merging art, architecture and the island's volcanic landscape into one.

How was a house built on top of lava?

Construction began in 1968 on ground covered by a black, solidified lava flow left behind by the volcanic eruptions of 1730–1736, the same eruptions that reshaped much of Lanzarote's terrain. Rather than clearing the lava away, Manrique built around and through it, which is why the house is often referred to locally as the "volcano house."

Why does the lower level feel so different from the rest of the house?

The most striking feature is the underground level, formed inside five natural volcanic bubbles — hollow chambers left behind as the lava cooled. Manrique linked them with passages carved straight into the volcanic rock, creating a space that reads like a natural cave while functioning as refined living quarters. Above ground, the house draws on traditional Lanzarote architecture — whitewashed walls and clean, geometric shapes — pairing local building style with a distinctly modern sense of space.

What is the history behind this place?

Manrique lived in this house for twenty years, from 1968 to 1988, before moving to another residence on the island. In 1992 the building was converted into a cultural center and officially opened as a foundation on 27 March of that year. Just six months later, in September 1992, the artist died in a car accident in Arrecife — making the foundation one of the last major projects completed during his lifetime.

What can visitors see today?

Visitors can walk through both levels of the house: the upper section with its traditional architectural features, and the underground rooms set among the volcanic bubbles, which once served as living and leisure spaces. Today the foundation operates as an art gallery and cultural venue, exhibiting works by Manrique himself alongside other artists, and stands as a lasting example of his "art and nature" philosophy that shaped most of his projects across the island.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Fundación César Manrique located? In Tahíche, within the municipality of Teguise, in central Lanzarote.

When was the house built? Construction started in 1968, on ground covered by lava from the 1730–1736 eruptions.

Why does the house have an underground section? Because Manrique built into five natural bubbles formed inside the cooled volcanic lava, linking them with tunnels into one connected living space.

Did Manrique actually live in this house? Yes, he lived there for twenty years, from 1968 to 1988, before the building was later converted into the foundation that opened in 1992.