Wonders of Lanzarote

This unique, spectacular landscape of La Geria, Lanzarote, exemplifies the force of nature tamed by the hard work and resilience of the local farmers. They’ve never abandoned their land, even when it was covered with volcanic lava in the 18th Century. They have remained and adjusted their old ways of living, inventing a new technique of growing grapevines instead of their former cereal crops that couldn’t grow in the newly created conditions. They’ve worked hard to plant the vines in these vast volcanic ash fields, digging up the sterile lava until finding the fertile soil and then protecting each plant with a small circular lava stone wall against the cold and strong oceanic winds. The ash cover is keeping the scarce water in the soil, preventing its evaporation. The grape production is small compared with conventional vineyards, but they’ve created a landmark for their island and a unique, high quality local wine. This stunning and impressive landscape, decorated with bright green leaves shining against the deep black background, changes during the day as the light coming through the walls shifts, illuminating the wineries and vineyards from different angles.

Rural landscape category:
- Food and livelihood security
- Agro-biodiversity
- Local and Traditional Knowledge Systems
- Cultures, Value Systems and Social Organisations
- Landscapes and Seascapes Features

Author(s): Iuliana Pavalan
Photo Credit: Iuliana Pavalan
Country: Spain