LAGO MARTIANEZ

To the west of the resort we find its most modern part, “Lago Martiánez”, inaugurated in 1977. After the construction of “Los Alisios”, the people of Puerto de la Cruz faced the need to condition the rest of the coastline. César Manrique devised then a huge lake in the shape of an emerald, with several islands inside, a project that he presented to the city hall without it having been previously commissioned, but that from the first moment received the approval of both builders and politicians at the time.

It occupies the largest area of ​​the resort with 33,000 m2, 15,000 corresponding to walkways and solariums, another 15,000 to swimming pools, and the rest to the islands. The main pool is shaped like a lake, hence the name of the area, with a smaller attached circle that forms the children's pool.

A total of five asymmetrically shaped islands emerge from the lake, highlighting the large central island. To get there we will have to cross wooden bridges, crossing a smaller island first. During the first years after its construction, on both sides of that bridge there was a white sand beach which, with the approval of César Manrique, had to be removed due to the problems caused by the accumulation of sand in the pipes and sewer system of the resort. In addition, the lake had a little pier, with boats to navigate the lake, but it was also later removed for security reasons.

Once we arrive at the central island, designed by the architect Fernando Higueras, we realize that a part of its structure is submerged below sea level. There lies the "Sala Andrómeda", a huge venue for parties and celebrations that has undergone several renovations over the years, having even hosted the Puerto de la Cruz Casino. On the surface of the island, apart from the restaurants, in which we see elements of Canarian architecture represented, there is a skylight that originally had the shape of a Chinese lantern, that could be opened and closed with a resort mechanical system, but unfortunately it had to be removed after it was damaged. Also noteworthy on the island is the tiled floor made of pebbles arranged radially, characteristic of the work of Higueras, and that we can also see on the "Isla del Barco", in the area of ​​"Los Alisios".

Of the remaining islands, two can only be accessed by swimming, and the last one forms the famous water crater, which not only fulfills an artistic mission, but also a functional one, as it is the system used to fill the lake. In addition, the presence of a geyser that sporadically expels water up to 20 meters high is a nice surprise for those who, unaware of its existence, pass nearby at the moment of its activation.

The lake has an underground water system that takes seawater and pumps it through the crater. Even in case of unforeseen events, it has its own generators and an underground cistern of drinking water for garden irrigation and cleaning. As the filling of the pools depends entirely on the tide level, it is possible to see the crater operating at different times, being usually in the morning when it can be observed in its maximum splendor.

As for the decoration in general, elements such as curved and rounded surfaces, white walls combined with volcanic rocks, abundant vegetation and the common elements of Canarian architecture are repeated.

Manrique and his team finished the resort in the same way that they had already done with the “Los Alisios” area, adding monuments where nature and art go hand in hand. We can highlight the sculptures "Homenaje al Mar", located in the children's pool; "Barlovento", which welcomes us at the entrance; the tribute "A Wilhelm Reich", on the central island; and "Raíces al Cielo", next to the seawall.

"Lago Martiánez" continues to be today, despite its more than 40 years of history, one of the most visited and emblematic places in Puerto de la Cruz, recognizable from afar thanks to its imposing monuments, its geyser and its water crater, that are visible from different points of the city and attract tourists and locals to a resort that we could rather considered a work of art instead of just a water park.