If you are planning your holidays to San Bartolome in Lanzarote, the following information may help by giving you an overview on the resort and the surrounding area.

San Bartolome lies right in the heart of Lanzarote – both geographically and culturally. Formerly known as Ajei by the pre-Spanish Guanche inhabitants, the town started to grow during the 16th and 17th centuries. Before tourism took off, the main economic activity here was agriculture. Evidence of this pastoral past is everywhere – as over the centuries local farmers have experimented with two novel forms of irrigation.

Just to the north of San Bartolomé lies the famous wine fields of La Geria. Here, black volcanic picon and stone semi-circles are still used to release and retain overnight moisture and to protect young vines. To the east of the town, on the road running to Tahiche, lies what at first sight appears to be vitual desert. But these fields benefit from damp soil and sand, known as jable, which is blown in from the coast by the prevailing north wind. The additional moisture provided by these grains enables local farmers to grown crops, such a sweet potatoes and watermelon.

This resourcefulness was prominently celebrated by famous local artist and architect Cesar Manrique. For something different on your San Bartolomé holidays, just outside the resort, he created The Monumento al Campesino. This giant 15m high sculpture of a farmer with his flock is made from water tanks salvaged from old fishing boats. It is designed to highlight the endurance and inventiveness of the local farm workers and the historic significance of agricultural life on the island.