The Tour The entrance is formed by a labyrinthine set of robust, curved volumes, placed around a central structure in the form of a taro, the virtue of which is to occlude the view of the interior and therefore provoke a surprise effect on visitors. On crossing the threshold, we are met with a view over the whole enclave. The interior structure is circular, a possible metaphor for the island’s volcanic craters. One of the main characteristics of this recreated amphitheatre is the walls, made up of terraces descending from the ground, in levels displaying different varieties of cactus. A double staircase opens at our feet, inviting us to walk the sinuous stone paths and flights of stairs that connect the various landscaped areas in the interior. At centre stage, we can see a series of monoliths made of compacted volcanic ash, which have remained intact as evidence of the quarry’s past extraction activities. The marked sculptural nature of these monoliths harmonises with the capricious, original shapes of the cacti. As an idyllic counterpoint to the aridity of the landscape, there are small ponds complete with water lilies and colourful fish. The large metal cactus at the entrance and the wrought iron gate stand out as unique referential and emblematic elements that presage the majestic and surprising character of the interior. The Cactus Garden is a magnificent example of an architectonic intervention integrated into the landscape. César Manrique created this audacious architectonic complex whilst maintaining the unshakeable pairing of art and nature that is so tangible in all of his spatial interventions. The selection of this special landscape, as with so many of Manrique’s works, dictated the aesthetic solutions adopted as well as the contents of the same, which have a sense of continuity and integration with the surrounding landscape. The origins of the Jardín de Cactus date back to the 1970s, when César Manrique, then in full creative dialogue with the island’s landscape, turned his attention to the old quarry at Guatiza. The artist encouraged the Cabildo of Lanzarote, a body with which he was working very closely, to acquire the land, wall in the complex and restore the traditional windmill that crowned the enclave. However, owing to various vicissitudes, the original project to build a new Centre of Art, Culture and Tourism would have to wait until the 1980s. The Jardín de Cactus was finally opened in 1990 and became César Manrique’s final spatial work. JARDÍN DE CACTUS (Cactus Garden) Creator: César Manrique Opened in: 1990 Location: Guatiza. Municipality of Teguise Blending into the wall, there are two important constructions, the main characteristic of which the roof in the form of a cupola: one intended to be a shop, the other as the Centre’s cafe. Inside the latter, we can admire the elegant spiral staircase and the central sculpture (formed of steels branches and glass balls, like chained molecules), which emerges from a small fountain. Distinct artistic disciplines combine in this unique space in an attempt to perform a totalising didactic function. Sculpture, painting, architecture… César Manrique uses different stimuli to make visitors have an intimate, enriching experience. Note the quantity of additional innovative elements (lamps, doorknobs, dustbins, etc.) that can be found in the interior of the Centre and have nothing to do with conventional models. Designed exclusively for the Garden, they bear a striking similarity to the cacti that they accompany. The Cactus Garden is located in Guatiza, in the municipality of Teguise, in the middle of an agricultural landscape characterised by extensive tunera (cactus) plantations dedicated to the cultivation of cochineal. In the palas (blades) of the tunera cacti (a species of prickly pear also known as chumberas or nopales ) a parasitic insect called the cochineal is cultivated (Dactylopius coccus) from which, through a careful manufacturing process, an intense carmine colouring is obtained. Traditionally used as a dye in the textile industry, this natural colouring is currently greatly used un the food and cosmetic industries. Despite the fact that the Vega de Guatiza is home to the large cochineal cultivation area, this is a ‘crop’ on the decline owing to competition from the industrial synthetic colourings market.