In this guest post, Nick of the Lanzarote Guidebook tells us about the town of Teguise, formerly the capital of the island of Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.

Whilst Lanzarote is best known as a modern, sunshine holiday destination this small Canary Island also boasts some wonderful historic attractions. Such as the former island capital of Teguise – which is a real treasure trove of colonial architecture.

Teguise by ratatumba

Teguise (or La Villa as it´s known locally) was in fact the first settlement established by the Spanish conquistadores in the Canary Islands. Dating back to 1402. And was named after the last princess of the vanquished pre-Spanish Guanche inhabitants.

Today the town is best known as the location for Lanzarote´s weekly market. Which is one of the biggest events on the island – attracting thousands of tourists and locals alike to Teguise´s cobbled streets and pretty squares.

Teguise was originally selected as the capital of Lanzarote thanks to its elevated position in the centre of the island. Granting panoramic views down to the coastline – and providing an early warning for the islanders who lived in constant fear of pirate attacks throughout the 16th and 17th Centuries. Thanks to Lanzarote´s position as a trading post between the New World and the Old. As Spanish galleons laden with Inca silver would stop to restock and refuel before heading on to the Spanish mainland.

Teguise by avatar-1
These riches stirred the interest of many a pirate (or privateer, depending on your viewpoint), including the likes of both Walter Raleigh and Francis Drake. Along with fortune seekers from other established maritime nations such as Holland, France and Portugal.

In 1618 the fears of the islanders proved well founded – as a huge armada of 5,000 Algerian buccaneers completely overran the town. Murdering and pillaging at will. A cataclysmic event that is marked to this day in a small street in Teguise called La Sangre (The Blood) – which stands as a memorial to the mayhem.

This bloodshed, combined with Lanzarote´s growing economic importance to the empire, forced the Spanish to bolster the security of the capital with the construction of the Castillo Santa Barbara. Which is located on Mount Gaunapay overlooking the town. And which today is home to the islands fascinating Emigration Museum. Which charts the migratory patterns of the many islanders forced to seek out new lives aboard as a result of economic privation and the volcanic eruptions of the 1730´s.

Local folklore has it that the Castillo is connected to the oldest remaining building in the town – The Palacio Marques (built in 1452) – by a secret tunnel. Which was designed to provide sanctuary for the villagers in the event of further pirate attacks.

Teguise is also home to a host of other historic buildings – such as the Convento San Domingo and the towns main church, Neustra Senora de Guadalupe – which dates back to the early 1500´s and which is located in the main square, the Plaza de la Constitucion. Opposite the Palacio de Spinola, an excellent house museum, which provides an insight into the lifestyle of an affluent 18th century merchant.