Lanzarote – Local Architecture and Art (LagOmar) – Photos
Nestled in the little town of Nazaret, and built within volcanic rock, lays the museum of LagOmar which we visited on the last day of our stay in Lanzarote. It’s a remarkable place with little caves, grottoes, a pool, hidden passages and funny sculptures. You could spend days in there and still discover new architectural and artistic gems.
We were impressed with how vegetation and light got will- and skillfully integrated in the art, and except for Mona’s woolen green socks it all fit together so tastefully. The different graphics, structures and textures made for such interesting backdrops that changed at every turn. We’ve taken so many photos there that we decided to dedicate a whole post to the trip to share its beauty with you. The grounds and house were created by an artist called Jesús Soto for the British developer Sam Benady.
The design was hugely inspired by the unique style and techniques used by famous Lanzarote artist and environmental activist César Manrique, whose art is ever so present in Lagomar as it is in all parts of the island. In the early 1970s actor Omar Sharif (our Grandma’s heart throb) came to Lanzarote to film the mini-series “The Mysterious Island”. He visited LagOmar, fell in love with it and bought it. Unfortunately, Omar Sharif did not get to enjoy his wonderful house for very long. Sam Benady, knowing Sharif’s reputation as a card player, challenged him to a high stakes game of Bridge. Sharif accepted the challenge and added his house to the stakes, not realising that Benady was also a champion Bridge player.
Sharif lost his house during the game, and after that he never returned to the island. And the moral of this story … We’d love to read your comments!
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I used to read Omar Sharif’s syndicated bridge column. I never played bridge much, but some back in the ’70s. The game I played seriously was chess.
I’d love to see Lanzarote some time. It looks so beautiful. Lagomar sounds like Lago = lake in Spanish, and Mar = sea. But I don’t see a lake around there. Or maybe the Omar part is from his name(?), Idk.
Looks like it’s for sale for 7.5M Euros right now. Or it was for sale last January. You have good taste. Google maps has a street view from 2022. Looks like they were building a couple tennis courts next to the Museo then. Very nice. Great pictures.
That looks like a magical place, very beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing them.
Fab pics!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments with us.
My comments:
About Sharif:
” I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that’s not the shape of my heart” (quote, Sting)
About you:
Beautiful dresses that you wear there! specially highlighted in this white decor.
This organic architecture reminds me of Hobbiton in New Zealand. (It is farther than the Canary Islands but it’s worth the long journey). It also evokes Arcosanti in Arizona. With this kind of architecture you stay in the 60’s-70’s style.
Well done as usual.
The moral of the story? Never wager something that you cherish.
We played bridge as I was growing up. My Dad was a master. He loved to finesse, then he would laugh when he trumped my Mom’s Ace, King or Queen. Great memories!
Loved your story and the pictures are fabulous!
What a beautiful and unique venue. Such a sensual mixing of rugged nature and architectural design. And its beauty enhanced even more by your colorful presence! The photo of the two of you -just before the one where Rudi is seen in the darkened foreground shooting another photo of you, is now my favorite picture of you. Out of the hundreds of amazing photos taken of the two of you over the years, this one truly captures the beauty, the closeness, the spirit and the peaceful joy that emanates from you both. What a treasure!
Fantastic photos! And you girls look beautiful as usual. You folks have a great eye for photographic composure as well! I always look forward to new MLT photos! Thank you!
Such a treasure trove of fantastic pictures. Love the cat checking the wine specials and giving the finger in the rain. However, the picture of Mona and Lisa (Lanzarote_lagOmar_45.jpg) just before the one Rudolf is photographing them through the tunnel, is absolutely stunning. Captures the moment and the Twins so vividly. Fantastic.
Living in a cave looks quite comfortable. Got to keep dirty hands off of all those white walls. Amazing looking place. What the mind of man can conceive and believe, they can achieve. A very creative place for those looking for artistic inspiration I think.
Georgeous scenery! I hope you took advantage of it and made a video with the surroundings.
You all crack me up, Lisa’s comical faces, and just the sheer joy of having lots of fun, in the midst of your working vacation.
Ladies you know how to make us feel as though we were there. Thanks ever so much for sharing the breathtaking views.
Stay Groovy.
Rick.
More lovely photos of lovely natural beauties from the MLT. The architecture and scenery isn’t bad either! Your tans are looking excellent here and the four of you seemed to be thriving in the healthy outdoors. All those white buildings look so gorgeous, and so clean! Sam Benady must have been a pretty good card player as at one time, Omar Sharif ranked among the world’s top contract bridge players.
There’s nothing wrong with woolen socks Mona, although I do think bamboo socks are even better. I have several – green, orange, red and white included! I can recommend them. Thanks for sharing so many more of these beautiful Lanzarote photos with us.
Awesome, and more joy! The architecture of the museum with the grand winding stairs, sculptures and plants are amazing and the landscape of the area breathtaking! (..and not to mention the wonderful cats). Loved the beautiful portrait shots of the both of you! Just gleaming! 🙂
Now for the moral of the story. The museum is haunted with the ghost of Omar Sharif, or don’t ever say Lazarote in front of his relatives?
Thanks so much for sharing these magnificent pictures of Lanzarote, truly enjoyable! 🙂
Wow… Quite interesting and quirky yet funky but in a beautiful creative way… Inspiring… Not sure I’d fare well inside the caves and those stairs… ????Claustrophobic and Heights… Altitude dizziness but you all look splendid and right at home… I love the archictectual layouts and metal sculptures… Actually… Everything in its own unique way offers fab and awe… It all compliments and harmonizes… Poetical… Enchanting… Embracing… You could write a song about it…. Love the diversity and the photos of this gallery from on your Lanzarote trip in January…. Thankyou for sharing…. It all Groovifies so… ????????????????????????❤️????????????????????????????????????️????️????????