Submitted by:
Nick Ball
Lanzarote, Spain
The small Canary Island of Lanzarote is best known as a bucket and spade beach destination. Attracting over 1.5 million tourists every year. But away from the coast lies some of most stunning and surreal scenery on the planet, as around one quarter of Lanzarote´s total land surface resembles the surface of the moon. Thanks to massive volcanic eruptions which totally transformed the island’s interior during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Timanfaya park entry
Lanzarote was subjected to an enormous eruption in the 1730´s which went on for six years. Followed by a further fiery encore in 1824. Activity which totally remodelled around 200km square of the island – replacing farmland and villages with eerie lava fields and the collapsed cones of exhausted volcanoes.
At the time these seismic shocks caused massive deprivation and hardship, with many Lanzaroteños forced to flee abroad and start new lives in points across South and Central America. Today, however the Fire Mountains of the Timanfaya National Park are one of the most popular attractions in Spain. They welcome close to one million visitors every year.
The Fire Mountains
The scenery here is truly awe-inspiring – comprising mile after mile of twisted lava shapes and burnt out peaks. Creating a lunar like terrain that is so dramatic that it has been used as the backdrop for numerous science fiction films and major motion pictures over the years. Such as One Million Years B.C. and most recently the latest release from Pedro Almodóvar: Broken Embraces, starring Penélope Cruz. Apollo 13 astronauts were even shown pictures of the region before making their own lunar landing in order to familiarise themselves with the landscapes they were to encounter.
Today, fortunately, all of the 300 plus volcanoes in this region are now dormant.
But the oven like heat below the ground is still very much in evidence – reaching up to 400 degrees centigrade just a few centimeters beneath the surface.
It's still pretty hot there
Park wardens demonstrate this geothermal power for visitors by pouring cold water into bore holes – which is rapidly expulsed as hot steam just a few seconds later. Whilst chefs at the Devils Diner restaurant in the centre of the Park cook meat and chickens over giant grills – powered solely by the heat emanating from below.
The Timanfaya National Park is a must see for any visitor to Lanzarote and is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00, with admission costing €8 for adults and €4 for children.
Find out more about the Island of Fire and download a free guidebook at the Lanzarote Guidebook website.
Photo credits: Image courtesy of guillaumeo, Marielle and desmetjes.
Timanfaya National Park
35560 Tinajo, Spain
Phone: +34 928 840056 / +34 928 840057
Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 – 19:00. Summer season 15/07 – 15/09 09:00 – 17:00.
Related links:
Wikipedia – Timanfaya National Park
View Atlas Parasite in a larger map
