San Bartolomé
Before returning to our starting point on the south coast, it is worthwhile making a short detour to San Bartolomé, known also as Ajei from Guanche times. San Bartolomé is the flourishing administrative centre of the island’s second smallest municipality with the same name, which also has the shortest coastline of all. Located in a fertile valley – bordered in the east by the Montaña Guatisea (541 m – 1,775 ft) and the Montaña Mina (444 m – 1,457 ft) in the west – this municipality can be considered the agricultural centre of the island, the main crops being sweet potatoes, water melons and pumpkins. San Bartolomé is also famous for its fine bakery and pastry shop, which is said to be the best on the island!
With a predominance of white, black and green and that simple, clear style that César Manrique propagated so much, this appealing little country town boasts some fine examples of traditional Canary architecture, including Casa Pedromo, which features a beautiful courtyard and a tiny chapel. Today, this splendid 18th-century building accommodates the Museo Etnografico Tanit, dedicated to the island’s unique folk culture. The comprehensive displays of this museum comprise agricultural tools, household utensils, musical instruments, paintings, photos, wine production equipment, furniture, clothing, religious artefacts and much more. Visits are possible from Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 17.00 hrs, and on Saturdays between 10.00 and 15.00 hrs.
San Bartolomé’s centre is occupied by a large, stylish square, where you can see the late 18th-century parish church of San Bartolomé, the Ayuntamiento (town hall) and the appealingly restored Teatro Municipal next to it.
In strong contrast to all this, you will find a very modern attraction – Eurokart, Lanzarote’s Go-Karting-Track – just south of San Bartolomé on the road leading to Arrecife. It has a children’s playground and a café-bar and is open from 10.00 in the morning until the sun goes down.
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