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César Manrique Lanzarote
César Manrique Cabrera was born on April 24, 1919 in Puerto Naos, Arrecife (Lanzarote), the son of Francisca and Gumersindo. His father was a food merchant and his grandfather a notary public. César preceded his twin sister Amparo by just a few minutes. He had another brother, all of whom are alive today. Don Gumersindo came from Fuerteventura of good family background and emigrated to Lanzarote.
It is impossible to imagine Lanzarote as it stands today without César Manrique. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, ecologist, monument preserver, construction advisor, planner of urban developments, outliner of landscapes and gardens.
Manrique felt that he had to transform the island before the increasing amount of tourists overwhelmed and disfigured it irreversibly. With his great intuition combined with his incredible artistic ability he identified various areas on Lanzarote and improved their intrinsic beauty. Such works have become famous landmarks to be enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike.
He died at the age of 73 in a tragic car accident, on the 25 of September 1992, next to the Fundacion. His legacy lives on thanks to his ingenious work and that of the foundation that honours him.
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