This private Lanzarote property stands out for its great architectural and natural appeal. Located in the town of Nazaret, in the municipality of Teguise, it draws attention for the unique setting in which it is located, an old volcanic quarry, and for the use of the lava itself as a construction material. Lagomar is, therefore, a unique complex whose architecture is absolutely conditioned by the whim of nature, since the current tunnels, nooks and crannies and terraces were created at the time by the advance of lava in the midst of a volcanic eruption. In this sense, human creativity is just one more ingredient in a work sculpted by nature.

The architectural project of Lagomar comes from a commission made by the British Sam Benady, who wanted to build his house in this unusual place. Thus, Benady entrusted the conception of the building to Lanzarote's most famous artist, César Manrique, although a large part of the final execution was carried out by Jesús Soto. The collaborations between Manrique and Soto did not occur exclusively in the Lagomar project, but together they contributed to the creation of some of the most iconic monuments on the island, such as the Jardín de Cactus or the Mirador del Río.

lagomar entrance

Lagomar perfectly reflects the spirit of César Manrique, an artist who always sought to achieve full integration between art and nature. It is a pairing present in all his work and, in fact, he would obtain the Europa Nostra Award (1985) for his architectural legacy and the defense of Lanzarote's environmental values, as well as the World Ecology and Tourism Award (1987). .

One of the most curious anecdotes of Lagomar occurred in the eighties, when the Egyptian actor Omar Sharif came to the island to shoot the film The Mysterious Island and Captain Nemo, inspired by the work of Jules Verne. It is said that after discovering Sam Benady's house, he fell in love and bought it. It is also said (although this part of the story could well be a fabrication) that Benady, knowing that the Egyptian was a great fan of bridge, challenged him to play a game, and that they bet the house on it. This is how he would have recovered the Benady home shortly after its sale. Whether this story is true or just a local legend, the fact is that in the Lagomar museum there are photographs that show both protagonists playing cards. In any case, nowadays it is common to find people from Lanzarote who continue to call the property “Omar Sharif's house”.

Current hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.* Monday to Sunday

*Last visit at 5:30 p.m.