Iglesia de San Bartolomé Verified listing

Iglesia de San Bartolomé stands prominently over the Plaza León y Castillo in the town of San Bartolomé and is recognized as one of Lanzarote’s most important religious buildings, both for its historical roots and its artistic interior. Constructed between 1779 and 1783, the church replaced a smaller hermitage nearby. The project was driven by Francisco Tomás Guerra Clavijo y Perdomo (the “Mayor Guerra”) and local supporters, marking a significant communal effort in the late 18th century. In 1796, it became the parish church following ecclesiastical recognition.

Architecturally, the church is built in a Latin cross layout with a single nave and two side chapels, all under a wooden coffered ceiling brought from Tenerife. The ceiling was originally painted blue in 1901 but reverted to its natural wood colour in 1971. The facade features a basalt-framed portal with a semi-circular arch and corner buttresses, while a bell tower capped with a whitewashed dome adds neoclassical balance to the structure's volcanic stone finish.

Inside, visitors will find notable religious art, including an altarpiece dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, sculptures like the 19th-century “Cuban” image of the saint, a Sevillian crucifix, and carvings of the Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. These pieces reflect rich devotional traditions and craftsmanship from across the centuries. The Chapel of Sorrows contains the tomb of the church's founder, Mayor Guerra, positioned next to his wife—an enduring personal legacy within the sacred space.