La Era is much more than a circle of stone. This is where grain was threshed: animals pulled the trillo—the wooden and iron threshing implement you can see resting along the edge—to separate the grain from the straw.

This space also collected rainwater, which was channelled to the cistern and the animals’ drinking troughs. In Lanzarote’s traditional architecture, nothing was wasted.

La Era: A Place with History

La Era was much more than just a place of work. It was a gathering place where farming tasks were carried out collectively and each harvest helped strengthen the bonds between neighbours.

Its surroundings offer an insight into how everyday life was organised in rural Lanzarote. The water cistern, the house with its central courtyard, the spice trees and the plough all served specific purposes, reflecting a way of life based on making the most of the available resources.

Traditional Architecture and Rural Objects

Traditional architecture in Lanzarote was characterised by its functionality. Every space and object had a purpose and was adapted to the island’s particular conditions.

On either side of La Era, you will also find two objects associated with agricultural work: the camel saddle, used for riding the animal, and the serón, a traditional container used to carry sand and other materials on a camel’s back.

Together, these elements show how homes, tools, working spaces and means of transport formed part of an interconnected system designed to meet the needs of everyday life and agricultural work.