Introducing Teguise
Teguise, 12km north of Arrecife, has a North Africa–meets-Spanish-pueblo feel. It is an intriguing mini-oasis of low-rise buildings set around a central plaza and surrounded by the bare plains of central Lanzarote. Firmly on the tourist trail, there are several shops here selling flowing garments and handmade jewellery, plus restaurants, bars and a handful of monuments testifying to the fact that the town was the island’s capital until Arrecife took the baton in 1852.
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Maciot, the son of Jean de Béthencourt, moved here when it was a Guanche settlement and married Teguise, daughter of the one-time local chieftain. Various convents were founded and the town prospered. But with prosperity came other problems, including pirates who plundered the town several times, hence the ominously named Calle de la Sangre (Blood Street).
Teguise has a large and touristy Sunday morning market. Surprisingly, there is a dearth of places to stay in town.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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