Los jameos del agua caves: Jameos del Agua » Turismo Lanzarote
Discover the Jameos del Agua
22-05-2017
Lanzarote Highlights
A spectacular volcanic cave, transformed by the artist from Lanzarote “César Manrique”. A space for the contemplation of the nature hardly intervened by the man
THE BIRTH OF AN IDEA
Los “Jameos del Agua” is the first Center of Art, Culture and Tourism created by César Manrique and is the reflection of one of its creative pillars : the harmony between nature and artistic creation. In the early sixties of the twentieth century, and due to the abandonment of the environment, it is necessary to undertake cleaning and conditioning work. Although the works were delayed in time, we can point out the year 1966 as the date of the opening of the first phases to the public.
The special shape of the volcanic pipe caused numerous changes to the initial project, exploring new creative alternatives and ensuring that the solutions adopted were the most appropriate. The Jameos del Agua as a complete work is attributable to César Manrique. However, the complexity of the project and the repeated stays in New York during the first years of creation of the Center make it, especially in the first phases of adaptation of the volcanic pipe, delegate part of the work to one of its most direct coworkers: Artist Jesús Soto, who had been the architect of the spectacular lighting and adaptation of the Cave of the Greens.
Inside the enclosure we discover a natural lagoon with unusually clear and transparent waters. This space, hardly intervened, retains the structure with the shape of a canyon vault of the volcanic tunnel. Its cathedral character is reinforced by the presence of a hollow in the upper part of the vault from where, on bright days, a zenith beam is projected that sinks into the depth of the water.
The “Jameo Chico” is part of the first phase of the conditioning of the Jameos del Agua, which, since 1966, was undertaken by the Cabildo of Lanzarote, and whose main goal was to intervene, revalue and use emblematic spaces of the insular geography.
Originally, Los Jameos del Agua were conceived as a showroom: from this time, we can highlight the bar, the accesses and the marble dance floor.
This underground aquatic habitat, rich in wildlife, houses more than a dozen endemic species of great scientific interest, including the famous blind crabs (Munidopsis polymorpha) that dot the rocky bottom of the lagoon. The darkness of the grotto causes the lack of pigmentation. This rare specimen, unique in the world, of whitish color and only one centimeter in length, serves as a symbol of the Jameos del Agua.
What tour of Lanzarote visits the Jameos del Agua?
- Cesar Manrique Tour
- Lanzarote Highlight Excursion
- Gran Tour Lanzarote
- North Tour Lanzarote
Los Jameos del Agua, a hug between a man and a volcano
Thousands of years ago hell hovered over the northern part of the island of Lanzarote. The Corona volcano had erupted and the lava carried away all traces of life.
That sea of fire was petrified, giving rise to what is now known as the Malpaís de la Corona, a landscape impossible not to compare with the inhospitable lands of Mordor. Likewise, the lava of La Corona gave shape to two natural monuments of great importance on the island: Los Verdes cave and the Jameos del Agua.
Jameo Grande in Jameos del Agua | Shutterstock
A volcanic tube that sinks into the sea
Jameos are, roughly speaking, the holes resulting from the sinking of the roof of a volcanic tube. Therefore, to understand how they are formed, we must first understand what a volcanic tube is.
A volcanic tube is a natural formation produced when a river of lava solidifies on contact with the air, while underneath the crust that has originated, the lava continues to flow. Gradually, as the volcano’s eruption subsides, the course of the river of fire descends. Thus, an elongated cave is created whose roof, floor and walls are made of solidified lava.
A jameo is formed when a section of the roof of the tube detaches and leaves cavities in the open air.
Los Verdes cave, Lanzarote | Shutterstock
In Lanzarote, the Corona volcano was responsible for the formation of a volcanic tube no less than seven kilometers long. It connects Los Verdes cave with the Jameos del Agua and the Atlantis tunnel. These formations are, thus, different sections of the Lanzarote volcanic tube.
The intervention of César Manrique in Jameos del Agua
The part of the tube closest to the sea is known as Jameos del Agua, which communicates with the Atlantis tunnel, which goes at least a kilometer and a half into the depths of the sea and is still under investigation.
Entrance to Jameos del Agua | Shutterstock
In the 1960s this natural space was intervened by the well-known architect, native of the island, César Manrique. The creation of the artist, famous for building spaces that combine architecture and nature but always respecting the environment, was finally completed in 1977.
Thus, he turned the space into a Center for Art, Culture and Tourism.
The Jameos del Agua consists of three parts. First, the entrance through a staircase leads the visitor to what is known as Jameo Chico, a small cavity dotted with a lake, formed by the seepage of sea water. The artificial touch was given by Manrique with the construction of a nice restaurant. This jameo is the one that gives its name to the natural monument.
Jameo Chico at the Jameos del Agua | Shutterstock
The Jameo Grande is the one that can be seen after passing the Jameo Chico. The main attraction of this section consists of an artificial pool accompanied by a garden, both designed by the architect. Finally, after passing this area, an auditorium opens up, integrated into the same volcanic walls of the tube and where concerts, parties, and more events are held. Its acoustics are said to be very good. The last jameo or cavity is Cazuela, which is only open to the public on special occasions.
Auditorium in Jameos del Agua | Shutterstock
A unique species of crab in the world in the Jameos del Agua
The characteristics of the jameos led to the occupation of the enclave by a species of crab endemic to Lanzarote, known as Munidopsis Polimorpha or jameito. This crab can not be found anywhere else on the planet except in the Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes. It is blind, albino and measures barely one centimeter.
Jameito, a unique crab in Lanzarote | Shutterstock
A few years ago the small animal, very delicate before environmental changes, was endangered due to human action. People used to throw coins into the water, which almost caused its extinction. For this reason, it is completely forbidden to throw coins into the water. This crustacean is one more of the wonders that make Jameos del Agua an indispensable environment.
de los Verdes | this… What is Cueva de los Verdes?
Cueva de los Verdes (Spanish Cueva de Los Verdes ) [1] is a volcanic cave on the island of Lanzarote in the archipelago of the Canary Islands (Spain).
One of the largest volcanic caves in the world (until the 1970s it was considered the longest volcanic tunnel in the world).
The Cueva de los Verdes cave was formed by the eruption of the Corona volcano about five thousand years ago. During the eruption, a river of liquid lava burned an oblong depression in the rocks. While the lava below was still very liquid and fluid, its outer layers gradually solidified. Thus, a kind of pipe 6.1 kilometers long was formed. As the eruption ceased, the pipe was emptied of lava, creating a beautiful natural monument. The hot gases released from the lava, mixing with air, ignited; under the influence of high temperature, melting the vault, furrows and influxes similar to stalactites appeared on the ceiling of the cave. The remains of the lava, solidifying, formed many folds and wrinkles, decorating the floor of the cave with intricate patterns. nine0009
The cave stretches from the crater of the Corona volcano to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
The width of the cave is up to 24 meters, the maximum height is 15 meters, the deepest part of the cave reaches 35 meters below sea level, the height difference is 230 meters. The air temperature in the cave during the year is kept constant: 19°C.
Back in the 13th century, Cueva de los Verdes was used by the Guanches who inhabited Lanzarote as a shelter during the Spanish conquest. Later, the population of the island took refuge in a cave from corsair raids and raids of slave traders. The cave became a tourist attraction in 1964 year. Through the efforts of the Art, Culture and Tourism Center of Lanzarote, lighting was carried out in the cave. Now the most interesting part of Cueva de los Verdes (a section just over a kilometer long) is open to tourists. The cave also houses a geodynamic station.
Tourists enter the cave from the lava plateau of Mal Pais along a narrow path through the gap. Beyond the high entrance, a tunnel leads to the sea, then the tourists turn into a narrower passage and reach the deepest part of Cueva de los Verdes.
The architecture of the cave is varied and chaotic: winding corridors where you have to bend down, spacious halls, gorges, almost straight sections. Throughout the journey, visitors are accompanied by music, passages and halls are illuminated. The cave has two tiers, the upper one is more spacious. A few flights of stairs – and now the guests enter a unique concert hall. This is not just a name, sometimes concerts really take place here. Excellent acoustics are created by porous lava walls that do not create resonance. nine0009
The lower section of the cave, called Jameos del Agua [2] , is also visible. An underground lake is spreading here, fed by the salty water of the ocean. The vaults of the cave are partially destroyed, the sun’s rays fall on the stepped terraces. On the shore of the underground lake there is an unusual cave restaurant where tourists can have a cup of coffee.
Underground concert hall.
Munidopsis polymorpha
Jameos del Agua is one of the few places on the planet where you can see the very rare blind albino crab ( Munidopsis polymorpha ), which usually lives deep underground.
[3]
Notes
- ↑ after the Verdes family who owned the land on which cave
- ↑ can be roughly translated as “collapsed cave lake”
- ↑ Blind Albino Crabs, Lanzarote – Jameos del Agua
is located
Literature
- Strogoff M., Broche P.-K., Ozias D. Canary Islands. Guide. – M .: Vanguard, 2005. – 160 p. — ISBN 5-86394-166-9
- Bauer E. Wonders of the Earth. – M .: Children’s literature, 1978. – S. 41 – 43. – 127 p.
NT – Binter Canarias – Reasons to visit the Canary Islands
Why the Canary Islands are attractive:
1. Year-round destination.
2. 8 islands, 7 of which are connected by the airline Binter Canarias .
3. Sun 350 days a year. nine0004
4. No poisonous animals.
5. Boat trips, fishing, water skiing, jet skis, diving, trekking, canyoning, windsurfing and more.
6. Gran Canaria
– Maspalomas – 8 km of beaches.
– The temperature is 1-2 degrees higher than in Tenerife
– 1316 plant species have been preserved, of which 104 grow only here.
– Bananas have been grown in Gran Canaria for more than a century and a half. Canarian dwarf bananas are smaller than African ones but very sweet. nine0009
– During excursion boat trips you can watch dolphins, and sperm whales live in the deep strait between Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
– The largest water park in the Canary Islands.
– Caves of Guayadeque, where people live, there is a restaurant, its own church.
– SiouxCity – Wild West town.
– Palmitos Park – park of reptiles, butterflies and other animals.
7. Tenerife
– Teide Volcano.
– Always warm, but not sweltering heat. nine0009
– Volcanic sand
– Tenerife has the most developed tourist infrastructure. This is especially important for those who like to relax actively and have fun, and not just spend time on the beach.
– The largest and most visited island.
8. Lanzarote
– The most unusual island in terms of the combination of colors, where they shoot thin. fantasy.
– Island of 300 volcanoes.
– Low-rise hotels.
– Puerto del Carmen has nightlife, 7 km of beaches, a zoo, bars, shopping centers. nine0009
– In the south is the newest resort of Playa Blanca, where the most beautiful beaches are protected from the waves, modern hotels, an elegant yacht port.
– In the north, a one and a half kilometer strait separates Lanzarote from the tiny 8th island of Gracios.
– Also north of Lanzarote is known for the green “Valley of a Thousand Palms”: this was the whole island before the eruptions.
– Rain in Lanzarote is extremely rare.
– The temperature is slightly cooler. But still from 20 to 28 degrees. The warmest time is from April to October (24-28 degrees). Water 19-23 degrees. Thanks to this, there is no sweltering heat.
– Lanzarote volcanic caves “from the inside”: Cueva de los Verdes lava cave and Jameos del Agua complex.
– La Geria – the most original way of growing grapes among the volcanoes.
– César Manrique House Museum and Lagomar are two of the most unusual houses on the island.
– Cactus Park – a small but pretty garden in the Japanese spirit.
– El Golfo – delicious fish restaurants and a beautiful emerald lagoon. nine0009
– Submarine – 45 minutes underwater.
– Aquarium – three dozen aquariums and a tunnel with sharks.
– Rancho Texas – zoo, bird show, sea lions and cowboys.
– Tropical Park – another zoological garden.
– Water park – a small water amusement park.
9. Fuerteventura
Surfers paradise.
– The best beaches in the Canary Islands
– The second largest after Tenerife and the most “African” island of the archipelago: it is separated from Morocco by less than 100 km.
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-Fuerteventura was once famous for its dense forests. But the Europeans cut down all the trees and built ships out of them. Since then, the island has been more like a desert with waterless hills that serve as the backdrop for filming westerns.
-Fuerteventura is an ideal place for a quiet and measured beach holiday.
– The best in the Canary Islands, many kilometers of beaches with light fine sand are the calling card and the main attraction of this island.
– Jandia Peninsula – here is the longest beach coast of the island – thirty kilometers of Sotavento. nine0009
– Corralejo – Here is a ten-kilometer beach with white sand, turquoise water and dunes.
Compared to the Jandia peninsula, Corralejo has more youth vacations, nightlife, and a generally livelier resort atmosphere.
– Culeta de Fustes – This is the third largest resort on the island. It is usually recommended for tourists traveling with children: the village has a specially built sandy beach for young guests, which is well protected from waves and has a smooth descent into the water.
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– Temperature from 20 (winter) to 27 degrees (summer).
– Rain is rare.
– Nearly all types of fish found in the Mediterranean and Atlantic live around the island.
10. El Hierro
– The smallest island.
– The landscapes are extremely diverse, from lava-covered plateaus and volcanic formations in the south and west to the fertile fields and vineyards of the El Golfo Valley in the northwest. The central part is covered with dense pine and cherry-laurel forests. nine0009
– The air temperature here remains within 20-25 degrees throughout the year. The temperature of the water in the ocean is 19 – 23. The island is blown all year round by winds that bring a pleasant coolness even in summer.
– The mountainous regions are covered with magnificent evergreen forests, which are the remains of a relict forest that covered the surface of the Earth many centuries ago.
– Despite the rocky terrain, there are small beaches covered with volcanic sand, as well as natural lagoons and swimming pools.
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– Underwater flora and fauna, as well as bottom topography, are of great interest to all scuba diving enthusiasts.
– One of the historical attractions of the island is the village of Guinea, an ancient Aboriginal settlement found by archaeologists in our time.
– As with other islands of the Canary archipelago, there are a large number of endemic plants found only within the archipelago, and sometimes even a single island.
11. La Palma
– In the northern part there is the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, which is a volcano crater with a diameter of eight by twenty kilometers, inside which unique samples of rocks have been preserved, as well as rare representatives of the flora and fauna of the region.
– The average air temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, and ocean water warms up to 20-22 degrees in both winter and summer.
– The island is the greenest in the Canary archipelago. nine0009
– The main attractions are the numerous nature reserves located on its territory.
-Another attraction originates here – the volcanic ridge, where the route through the volcanoes runs.
– The most popular tourist resort is Puerto de Naos, a town with a developed infrastructure, surrounded by impressive beaches of volcanic black sand.
-The seclusion of the resorts of La Palma, which, however, have a well-developed tourist infrastructure. nine0009
– The beaches of the resorts of La Palma amaze with their pristine beauty and not crowded. You will not see huge tourist complexes here; the atmosphere of peace and leisure reigns on the island.
– All beaches of the island are of natural origin and covered with black volcanic sand.
– Beaches located in the south and in the center of the island are better for swimming than those on the north coast, and the microclimate of the east coast is hotter and drier than the microclimate of the west coast. nine0009
– About 35% of the island is protected national parks.
– UNESCO Los Tiles World Bioreserve, covering an area of 511 hectares.
On the territory of the bioreserve there is an ancient laurel forest, miraculously preserved to our times.
– Numerous trekking routes, climbing the mountain peaks of Behenado and
Birigoyo.
– Canyoning lessons. The canyons of Las Grajas Ravin and Facundo Ravin, which are more than 100 meters long.
– The peaks of La Madera and El Paso are sure to be of interest to fans of mountaineering
– Numerous caves are popular with those who are interested in speleology. The most interesting in this sense are the caves of El Tigalante with a size of 911 and 1360 m, which are adjoined by two tunnels with many caves that have not yet been explored.
– Diving centers deserve special mention. The ocean floor here is one of the youngest on the planet, with many faults, caves and rock fragments on its surface. nine0009
12. La Gomera.
– The highest point is the Garajonay Peak, 1.487 m high, located in the Garajonay National Park under the protection of UNESCO.
– Lor Organos National Park, where basalt columns are located, formed during the slow cooling of lava in a volcanic crater.
– Other attractions are the national parks protected by the Government of the Canary Islands: Benchijigua National Reserve, Puntayana Natural Reserve, Mahona Natural Park, Balle Gran Rey Natural Park and Orone Natural Park, La Cardera Park. nine0009
– The northern part is considered to be rainier than the southern part.
– Horizontal rain from the clouds that cover the laurel forests of the Garajonay Park is a unique natural phenomenon in the mountainous regions of La Gomera.
– The highest point is the Garajonay Peak, 1.487 m high, located in the Garajonay National Park under the protection of UNESCO.
– Lor Organos National Park, where basalt columns are located, formed during the slow cooling of lava in a volcanic crater. nine0009
– Rich flora and fauna.
– Annual air temperature 25 degrees, water 20-22.