As we mentioned briefly in our general introduction pages, many people consider San Bartolome to be the cultural centre of Lanzarote, which is supported with a number of both historic buildings and museums within a few miles of the town. One of these being the Casa Mayor Guerra, just to the west of San Bartolome, which is the 18th Century home of the former military Governor of Lanzarote, and although at present it is not open to the general public, the house is currently undergoing a major refurbishment project that will hopefully see it's doors soon opening to visitors.

Almost adjacent to the Town Hall in San Bartolome is the Tanit Ethnic Museum, which contains exhibits representing both the working and cultural life on Lanzarote over the past 200 years. Founded by Jose Ferrer Perdomo and his wife Remy de Quintana Reyes, the museum first opened its doors to the public on February 18th 2000 and is located in the converted wine cellar of a traditional 18th Century Canarian house. The museum consists an exhibition gallery, chapel, an old beam press, craft shop, market garden, a cafe with terrace, and a dance floor. The museum name "Tanit" is taken from the Carthaginian goddess of love, fortune and fertility with the "Tanit" symbol being engraved onto a stone block. The museum is open Monday to Saturday throughout the year, except for Public Holidays, and contact details for more information is:
Ethnographic Museum Tanit
Calle Constitucion, 1
35550
San Bartolome
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 522 334
Fax: +34 928 802 549
Web Site: www.museotanit.com

Another cultural centre in San Bartolome that is well worth a visit is La Casa de La Cultura Ajei or as it is known locally the Casa Ajei. This is situated in a recently refurbished 18th Century manor house near the centre of the town, and contains displays of the tools and materials that were used by traditional Canarian farmers as well as providing a base for local folk groups and artists including the internationally known folk group Ajei. The Casa de La Cultura Ajei is normally open Monday to Friday from 5pm to 10pm throughout the year.

A little to the north of San Bartolome in the village of Mozaga it would be difficult to miss the Monumento del Campesino, which is a 15 metre high sculpture of a farmer with his flock that is made from water tanks salvaged from old fishing boats. The Monumento del Campesino was created by Jesus Soto from an original design by Cesar Manrique, and which represents the endurance and inventiveness of the local farm workers along with the historic significance of agricultural life on the island. Adjacent to the monument is the Museo al Campesino, which is a restored Canarian farmhouse where visitors can sample locally grown produce and wines. The Museo al Campesino is open everyday from 10am to 6pm and contact details are:
Museo al Campesino
35550
Mozaga
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 520 136

Again as already briefly mentioned as part of our general introduction pages, it is here to the north of San Bartolome in the district of La Cena, where the islands major vineyards are to be found. The highly acclaimed Malvasia wines are produced here from grapes grown from individual vines that are surrounded by semi-circular walls of volcanic stone. The El Grifo Wine Museum is situated on the road from the Monumento del Campesino to Uga, close to the village of Masdache, attracts over 50,000 people through its door each year. Once inside there are displays of wine making equipment, ancient presses, bottling tools, pumps and filters, and laboratory instruments used in the wine making process over the years. The museum also offers visitors the opportunity to join wine tasting courses and to purchase a wide selection of wines and souvenirs from their gift shop. Contact details are:
El Grifo Wine Museum
El Islote, 121
35550
San Bartolome
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 524 951
Fax: +34 928 832 634
Web Site: www.elgrifo.com

If you have access to a car, certainly well worth a visit is the home of the late Cesar Manrique, which now houses the Fundacion Cesar Manrique. The Cesar Manrique Foundation was established in 1992 as a non profit making institution, and displays Manrique's private collection of works by Picasso and Miro etc. The house is situated in the village of Taro de Tahiche, and was originally built in 1968 on top of a volcanic trail from an eruption that occurred around 1730-36. A visit to the Cesar Manrique Foundation is without doubt one of Lanzarote's most popular cultural attractions and receives in excess of 300,000 visitors per year through its doors. Contact details for more information are:
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
35550
Taro de Tahiche
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 843 138
Fax: +34 928 843 463
Web Site: www.fcmanrique.org

If all of this culture and tradition is becoming too much for you, on the somewhat lighter side you may wish to consider a visit to the San Bartolome karting track. The track on the outskirt on the road towards Arrecife, is one of only two tracks on the island, and features a selection of machines to suit all ages and abilities. Contact details are:
Go Karting San Bartolome
Ctra. Arrecife - San Bartolome Km 5
35550
San Bartolome
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 520 022
Web Site: www.lanzarotegokarting.com