Cueva de los Verdes

There aren’t many places that gather as many areas of interest for the cultural and natural heritage of Lanzarote as Cueva de los Verdes, a unique mythological-looking cave, full of legends and extraordinary landscape and beauty.

It came about after the eruption of the Volcán de la Corona, and it’s one of the most impressive hidden wonders in the depths of Lanzarote. It was used as a hideout by the locals who needed shelter to protect themselves from invasions and attacks of pirates coming from the north of Africa during the 16th and 17th Centuries. In the 19th Century, it became a must for travellers, experts and European scientists due to the uniqueness of this volcanic territory, named after a family that kept their cattle in the area, the story goes.

In the 1960s, the Cabildo of Lanzarote turned to artist from Fuerteventura Jesús Soto, later in close collaboration with Manrique, to adapt this natural volcanic sanctuary that has become an attraction for thousands of visitors who wish to unveil its secret. Soto used his knowledge and focused on the lights and shadows to make the most of the brightness on rocks and highlight the shapes left by the lava on its way.

The range of ochre, grey, black and red shades take over this dark paradise and imitate the light drawing grotesque landscapes and spectacular rocky structures to the amazement of visitors. Going into Cueva de los Verdes is, without a doubt, going on a journey to the centre of the earth.

AUDITORIUM

The auditorium in Cueva de los Verdes is one of the most outstanding spots in Lanzarote to hold different genre concerts, solo artist and duet performances, as well as experimental performances. The venue is up-close and personal, in the unique surrounding of a volcanic cave, with a temperature and sound effects caused by the conditions within the cave, detailed lighting and a stage that is close to the audience, making every performance an inspiring combination of art and nature. 

 In the past few years, the auditorium has held performances given by renowned artists including classical music, string quartets, pianists, music fusion, jazz, opera, flamenco, and a wide range of new and highly renowned artists, not only through open competitions but also in collaboration with other institutions, coordinated by the Cultural Production Department of the Cabildo of Lanzarote. 

A wooden floor stage with an impressive piano, seducing the audiences in such spectacular spot, with artists such as Niño de Elche, a heterodox artist in traditional and contemporary music; pianist Samuel Aguilar, in concert playing his own pieces and backed by the right staging; also, the soprano of duet Boix Masramón, with one of the most highly internationally renowned pianists and forte-pianists in Spain; as well as tenor Pancho Corujo performing “Fausto” by Charles Gounod and “Mephistopheles” by Arrigo Boito, and the flamenco bailaor Eduardo Guerrero, as part of Escena Lanzarote. Staging Arts Festival; and guitarist Diego Barber, whose pieces and arrangements are part of the repertoires of the best international guitar players.

In addition to the Music Festival organised by the Art, Culture and Tourism Centres of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, the auditorium also holds performances that are part of the Canary Islands Music Festival, held annually, with a unique performance of Dúo Cassadó, pianist and cellist, recommended by Alicia de Larrocha as the best Spanish chamber music duet; and the Lanzarote Visual Music Festival, with independent performances that combine choreography and performing elements.

The concert season starts in October, and it is aimed at a wide range of audiences, with a programme that intends to please classic music lovers as well as those who wish to have new experiences where music, staging and images click together to reinvent genres.