Exploring Areciffe, Lanzarote

We return from our volcanic-park exploration, enjoy lunch on the ship (local fish), and head back out to walk into town of Arrecife in Lanzarote.  We walk from the port toward the town on a path carved out of the volcanic landscape.

Path to town

We pass ships and a monument to sailors who never returned.

Monuments

In town, in the center of a roundabout, we find a sculpture titled Fisherman with Marlin, an ode to Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, which was inspired by a sailor born just a few meters from the statue.

Fisherman with Marlin

We wander along the sea, observing the boats in the harbor and the artwork decorating the seaside promenade, part of a spectacular 26 km (16 mile) coastal path connecting Costa Teguise, Playa Honda, Arrecife, and Puerto del Carmen.

Local craft

Art on the promenade

The Museo de Historia de Arrecife (Arrecife History Museum) is located in a castle on the waterfront that was built in 1593 to create a defense against pirates, with outer walls, dungeons, and sentry boxes added in 1666 and 1667.  We walk out to the museum and then back toward the city.

Museo de Historia de Arrecife

Looking back at the city

Entering the city, we find the Iglesia de San Ginés (Church of San Ginés), honoring the city's patron saint.

Commercial district

The church was build in 1574 and completely rebuilt in 1667, containing images of Saint Peter and Saint Ginés, with the tower inspired by the bell tower of  Iglesia-Parroquia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de La Concepción (Church of the Immaculate Conception) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Iglesia de San Ginés

From the church, we walk back along the sea, finding more great artwork decorating the town.

Art along the sea

Art on a building wall

We return to the ship through the volcanic landscape and soon sail away to our next port.

Returning to the port

Sailing away