What are the most famous legends of Lanzarote?

Legend of the Devil of Timanfaya

This legend dates back to September 1, 1730, when the history of Lanzarote changed forever. It is said that the island was washed away by rivers of lava and that hundreds of rocks rained down.

A wedding was taking place on the Timanfaya that day when an explosion shook the earth. Both those attending the celebration and the rest of the villagers fled in search of refuge. Many were saved, but not the couple who got married. A rock crushed the bride and the groom, trying unsuccessfully to save his beloved, was left with no options to save himself.

It is said that the witnesses present there saw him disappear into the lava and expressed a lament: “Poor devil.” Hence, this legend of Lanzarote is known as that of the Devil of Timanfaya, an image that is part of the traditions of the island.

 

The legend of Queen Ico

Zonzamas and Fayna were reigning in Lanzarote when, back in 1377, a Spanish ship arrived on the island under the command of which was the Biscayan Martín Ruiz de Avellanedo. He gave the head of the community a large dress and, in return, Zonzamas offered to be his guest for several days in Acatife.

Nine months after that, the queen gave birth to Ico, raised as a legitimate daughter by Zonzamas. However, his mestizo features – white skin and blond hair – always generated suspicion and disputes around him.

The people always murmured about the paternity of the princess, who ended up marrying Guanareme, a local nobleman. Her brother Timanfaya, who was the heir, was captured and she had to reign, but the people did not consent and Ico had to flee because she was the supposed daughter of one of those conquerors who were doing so much damage to the island.

According to this legend, the princess locked herself, accompanied by three young commoners, in a smoky cave. It was a test. If Ico survived, he would be proven to have royal blood.

The night before, her babysitter Uga advised her to wet a sponge with water and put it in her mouth. Thanks to that, Ico was the only one who survived the smoke and the people proclaimed her queen, not knowing that this trap had helped her put an end to suspicions about her mestizo origin.

 

The legend of Pedro Perico

Another very famous legend of Lanzarote is that of Pedro Perico, a daring Canarian aborigine who decided to fight against a goat that the islanders considered the devil disguised as a beast.

This happened in the year 1500, when Pedro Perico wanted to put an end to the terror that this animal was generating among the shepherds of the area.

Several of them witnessed his daring. Legend has it that the fight was bloody, but that the corpulent animal dragged the man until both fell into a chasm and they were never seen again.

It was then said that Pedro Perico had been taken away by the devil. And this is one of Lanzarote’s most famous legends.
 
 

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