Industrial mine with heavy machinery, mounds of black and red rocks, and buildings in the distance.
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Volcanic stones in Lanzarote: origin and significance

Lanzarote is a volcanic island, marked by the eruptions of Timanfaya (1730-1736) and 1824. Its volcanic materials not only define the landscape: they have always been used to build houses, walls, and roads, and are part of the island's identity.

Most used materials

  • Basalt stone: the most common and durable volcanic stone. It was used to build the walls of traditional houses, which were then whitewashed, as well as the dry stone walls that protect crops from the wind.
  • Pumice or lapilli: small fragments of porous and dark lava. In construction, it is used to make lightweight and insulating blocks, and is well-known for its use in gardens and the sandy areas of La Geria.
  • Cut stone: carved stone reserved for corners, door and window frames, and restoration work.

Advantages of volcanic stone

  • Good thermal insulation, helping to keep the interior of houses cool.
  • Great durability and low maintenance.
  • Perfect integration into the landscape.
  • Sustainability, as it is a local material.

The legacy of César Manrique

The artist César Manrique defended the island's traditional architecture, with white houses, volcanic stone, and green or blue carpentry. His works, such as the Jameos del Agua, show how to integrate construction into the volcanic landscape.

You can see the volcanic landscapes of the island live with our webcams of Lanzarote.

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