Literally “mancha blanca” means “white spot”, a reference to the white spots that one can see on the Caldera Blanca, the nearby volcano of the village. These white patches are due to the presence of lime in rocks of this volcano eruptions that predates the eighteenth century.
Mancha Blanca is at the eastern edge of the Natural Park of Los Volcanes. 4 km west of the town is the enormous crater of Caldera Blanca (458 m) and the smaller one of the Montaña Caldereta (322 m); north is the égueulé crater of Montaña de Guiguán, also named Montaña de Los Dolores; 4 km to the southwest lies the volcano Montaña de Tinguatón which threatened houses of Mancha Blanca in the most recent eruption in 1824.
The village of Mancha Blanca is on the LZ-67 road from Yaiza to Tinajo, and, beyond, to the coastal resort of La Santa. Mancha Blanca shape with two other villages Guiguán and Tajaste, an urbanized area continues along the LZ-67 highway to Tinajo. 2 km southwest of Mancha Blanca is the Visitor Center of the National Park Timanfaya. 2km away is the entrance to the National Park.
In front of the church Our Lady of Sorrows is a huge square with new stalls built of volcanic stone, which is held every Sunday farmer’s market (Mercado Agrícola y Artesanal) famous. The peasants of the region come to sell their produce, sometimes transported by camel or donkey, especially to attract the tourist. There are mainly fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and wine, and some handicrafts.
All September 15 - on the occasion of the procession of Our Lady of Sorrows - this site hosts the Feria Insular de Artesania de Mancha Blanca, where all the crafts of the island of Lanzarote are presented, accompanied by folk events.
The church Our Lady of Sorrows originates in the volcanoes of the eighteenth century, from 1730 to 1736. While the molten lava were advancing towards the village, the inhabitants carried in procession the statue of the Virgin of Sorrows (Virgen de los Dolores), borrowed from the church San Roque de Tinajo, in front of the lava flow glowing. Casting the Montaña de Guiguán or Montaña de los Dolores, would suddenly frozen, saving the village saved by the protective mantle of the Virgin.
A wooden cross was erected at the spot where the lava had stopped; this cross, 1 m high, is still visible near the church; it is attached to a larger cross and is dated April 16, 1736. A promise was made to build a chapel in gratitude to the Virgin of Sorrows. However the promise to build a chapel was not kept by the small community - very poor - of Mancha Blanca. Legend has it that in 1774 a young shepherdess, Juana Rafaela, by grazing his goats on the slopes of the Caldera de Guiguán, had the appearance of a woman dressed in black - which was none other than the Virgin - which reminded him of the promise. After a second appearance, the villagers resolved to keep their promise; a first small chapel was built around 1781; it housed the image of Our Lady of the Volcanoes (Nuestra Señora de los Volcanes), transferred from the church of Tinajo.
In 1824 a new phase of volcanism occurred, and the village of Mancha Blanca was threatened by the lava of the volcano Tinguatón. Once again the Virgin Volcanoes saved the village. But around 1850, the chapel was threatened with ruin and the statue had to be transferred to Tinajo. A new church was built and was inaugurated in 1862.
The Notre-Dame des Volcans is a building with a single nave, whose side walls are supported by three buttresses basalt stones. The facade is very simple, with a portal surmounted by a round arch. Above the door a oculus illuminates the interior of the nave. A double steeple crowns the facade. Above the choir a dome topped by a glazed lantern illuminates the inside.
Every year on 15 September, takes place the Fiesta de la Virgen de los Volcanes, and a solemn procession carries the image of the Virgin to the foot of the volcano Montaña de Guiguán. Our Lady of Sorrows is the patron saint of the island of Lanzarote.
The sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows is located at the exit of the village, on the LZ-46 road towards La Vegueta.
The lookout Guiguán is one of the least known of Lanzarote; it is on the LZ-67 highway at the northern end of the village of Mancha Blanca, on the border with the village of Guiguán. This belvedere overlooking the crater égueulé of Montaña de Guiguán where you can admire the patient work of the farmers who have highlighted these lands; in small terraced fields, won on the slopes of the crater and separated by lava rock walls, to practice culture on pozzolan (enarenado). In the distance you can see the blue of the ocean. You can go down the crater by a stone staircase.
The restaurant Los Dolores is located on the market square, Plaza Virgin de los Dolores, in front of Our Lady of Sorrows Church. This is where the natives eat breakfast after the Sunday morning market. Tapas and Canarian cuisine.
The bodega Reymar
A small bodega where you can buy the wines of the property.
Situation.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Seen from the Natural Park of the Volcanoes (author Averater). Click to enlarge the image.")
Visits
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Tecoma stans flowers. Click to enlarge the image.")
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Tecoma stans Plant. Click to enlarge the image.")
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. The cross of Our Lady of Sorrows (author bobbyfrombearsden). Click to enlarge the image in Panoramio (new tab).")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Facade of Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Church Choir Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image.")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Nave of the Church Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. Dome of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image.")
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image.")
_small.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. Click to enlarge the image in Adobe Stock (new tab).")
.jpg "The village of Mancha Blanca in Lanzarote. The Belvedere Guiguan (author gmbgreg). Click to enlarge the image in Panoramio (new tab).")
Practical information
The bodega 
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