How the Centro Antroposófico came about
1978
The Heck family moves from Germany to Mácher/Lanzarote and acquires several hectares of land below the future Finca Lomos Altos. They build residential buildings, a market garden and establish biodynamic agriculture on the island.
1980
Enrique (Heinz Helmut) Winzer and Lilo (Lieselotte) Ferch buy the “Lomos Altos” property in Mácher (1 ha) and start working the land. The Hecks get Enrique and Lilo interested in anthroposophy and introduce them to biodynamic farming.
1981-82
Construction of the “Finca Lomos Altos” building with greenhouse, two cisterns, storage and utility rooms, garage. Two vacation apartments are available for friends to use as vacation homes.
1982-85
Enrique and Lieselotte acquire adjacent land (2.5 ha) and extend the finca building. A house with two vacation apartments, two single rooms and a large cistern is built on the new “Ribera South” plot. Cultural events are held in the private living rooms of the founding couple: Lectures, reading and discussion evenings, eurythmy, painting and sculpting.
1988
The “Fundación Canaria Antroposófica en Lanzarote” is officially founded on July 7, 1988. Enrique and Lieselotte transfer land and property to the foundation.
1989
Demand exceeds the accommodation available in the finca buildings, especially in winter. Guests are therefore also accommodated in the “Casa Felix” and in the “Tamarindos” vacation complex in Puerto del Carmen.
1990
The Fundación is recognized by the provincial government in Las Palmas. Ownership of the land, the houses and the facilities is thus “neutralized”.
1991
The building regulations on Lanzarote are fundamentally changed. In the zona rústica (agricultural zone), to which the finca belongs, a total building ban is imposed. The plan to build a therapeutic center here is therefore no longer possible.
1992
The “Tamarindos” residential complex with 50 apartments, which has been in existence for four years, is offered for lease. Consultations are held with friends.
1993
In the summer, the “Asociación Centro de Terapia Antroposófica” is founded as a non-profit association. It leases the “Tamarindos” facility and begins the conversion work (hall, restaurant, organic food store, therapy rooms). The Fundación provides the Asociación with the necessary working capital.
On October 1, the Centro opens on schedule and is very popular.
1995
A long-time friend of the founding couple buys the “Casa Romerito” below the finca and donates it to the Fundación. She retains the right to use an apartment.
1996
A residential building with 700m2 of land directly adjacent to the Centro is offered for sale to the Fundación. Thanks to financial help from friends and the GLS Bank, the financing is successful. The Therapeutikum is built here.
1997
The renovation of the Therapeutikum is completed in March. The doctor and therapists move into their new workrooms. Eurythmy therapy services can also be held in the eurythmy therapy room of the new Therapeutic Center (Act of Consecration of Man).
The “Tamarindos” apartment complex is offered for sale: The purchase is made possible with the help of GLS Bank and loans from friends.
The solar-heated saltwater pool at 34° C is ready for use. The outdoor area of the Therapeutikum has been planted. The paths and the covered outdoor space for artistic work have been completed. Patients, guests and staff are delighted with the successful expansion of the center.
1998
The Asociación is converted into a Sociedad Limitada (S.L.) – the equivalent of a limited liability company – as it is not possible to obtain charitable status. Wolfgang Nott will act as Managing Director, together with Irena Heinzle, who will take over the administrative management.
1999
Public lecture series on Waldorf education and anthroposophical medicine are offered. Encouraged by the lively interest, the founding of a Waldorf kindergarten is prepared.
2000
The founding kindergarten teacher from Madrid takes on preparatory work. A house with a large plot of land in Tahiche, approx. 20 km from Centro and Finca, is rented. Parents are involved in the renovation and design of the premises.
2001
Opening of the Waldorf kindergarten. The “Asociación Escuela Infantil Fogalera de San Juan” Pedagogía Waldorf” is approved as a kindergarten association and entered in the register of associations.
2001-02
Development of Finca Lomos Altos completed: 17 vacation apartments with a maximum of 40 beds have been built.
2003
We celebrate 10 years of Centro in October!
2004
On July 21, Lieselotte Ferch returns to her spiritual home after suffering from cancer for ten years.
2005
The “Tamarindos” apartments are renovated and modernized.
2007
The kindergarten now has three groups. Due to the (worldwide) shortage of trained Waldorf teachers, we are called upon to help ourselves and organize a seminar for Waldorf education in Spanish on Lanzarote.
2008
Founder Enrique Winzer resigns as President of the Fundación and becomes Honorary President. Robert Schmid becomes the new president.
On October 22, Enrique Winzer returns to his spiritual home after a long illness.
2009
Wolfgang Scherzer revives biodynamic farming on the finca.
The “Asociación para la tierra Lomos Altos en memoria Enrique y Lilo” is founded to promote biodynamic farming on the finca.
The seminar for Waldorf education is successfully completed. The participants receive their official recognition as Waldorf teachers.
2010
Renovation and conversion of the Lomos Altos finca building. A large seminar room with library is created.
2012
As part of a celebration of “100 years of eurythmy”, the Fundación organizes a first large public eurythmy performance with almost 90 spectators.
Wolfgang Scherzer, a passionate farmer, is leaving the island. Since 2009, he has transformed the finca into a high-yield ecological hotspot using biodynamic farming methods. At the same time, he set up the organic store in the Centro. His employee Llorenç continues to farm the land at the level he has already achieved.
Settlement of honey bees on the finca.
2013
The annual meeting of Waldorf teachers from the Canary Islands takes place at the Centro for the first time with 26 participants. Everyone is enthusiastic and finds the Centro an ideal venue for such conferences.
Anniversary week at the Finca and Centro: 25 years of the Foundation and 20 years of the Centro. At the end of the celebrations, a eurythmy performance will take place in the municipal theater of Tías.
Networking on the islands: A three-year training course in Waldorf education begins on Gran Canaria. The more than 40 participants from the various islands meet every month. They also work continuously on anthroposophical education, music and eurythmy on their islands. Gabriele Goetze and Marita Fleischli carry out this work at the Centro for the five participants on the island of Lanzarote.
2014
300 olive trees are planted on the finca.
After a long period of changing doctors, the Therapeutikum once again has a permanent anthroposophical doctor in Dr. Nikolaus Butin. Rhythmic massage therapy is also offered again thanks to Barbara (Heppner) Butin.
2015
Meeting of Waldorf teachers from the Canary Islands at the finca.
Extensive renovation work: Restaurant, outdoor showers, large pool heater, small access to the pool, new doors in 17 apartments, etc.
Celebrating the anniversaries of six employees who have been with the company for a total of one hundred years!
Six beehives on the finca, seminars with Klaus Guttenberger and honey from the finca.
2016
Handover of the cultural management from Gabriele Goetze, who had been in charge of culture at the Centro for 17 years, to Barbara Wiesner.
First English weeks at the Centro with Russel Evansl and Phillip Martyn.
Celebration of the 20th company anniversary of two employees: Suso and Fridolin.
Waldorf educational training seminar on Lanzarote.
Start of the complete renovation of the outdoor garden areas in the Centro by Luis Villalba.
2017
Training course in biodynamic agriculture for island residents on the finca with 17 participants.
Creative studio for origami with Beatrix Wohlfeld.
The Therapeutikum now offers all anthroposophical therapies with employed and freelance therapists.
Anniversary days for the 20th anniversary of the Christian Community at the Centro with founder Marina Gschwind-Grieder.
2018
Llorenç has been farming on the finca for over six years and moves to Canada. Javier takes over from him.
Anniversary celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Centros.
Celebration of the foundation of the Fundación 30 years ago.
2019
Website in Spanish, which is intended to better utilize the Centro with specific offers for Spanish guests.
English week on “The Grail” with prominent speakers from England and many new English participants.
2020
Work on community building for the staff working at the Centro (administration, therapeutic center, fundación) with Michael Dackweiler.
Covid-19 lockdown also on Lanzarote. The Centro has to stop its tourist activities. The restaurant, organic food store and therapeutic center are also closed. Cultural events will no longer take place.
2021-22
Difficult years after the lockdown and travel restrictions. Retirement and generational change leave big gaps.
Thomas Gädeke, Mikaela Nowak, Lisa Hugger and Michael Dackweiler are working together to develop a concept for the sustainable further development of the Center. As a collegial team, they will take over the board of the Fundación at the end of 2021. Robert Schmid is replaced as President by Thomas Gädeke.
2022
Consolidation phase for Centro and Fundación. Lisa Hugger takes over the management of both organizations on an interim basis. The new Foundation Board is jointly developing a restructuring concept and supporting the (re)development work in all business areas.
Mikaela Nowak heads the cultural division.
Medical presence during the winter months by Lara Sonnevend.
2023
Basic renovations and refurbishment of the buildings will be carried out over five years: Reception, hall, library, restaurant and outdoor areas of the Centro will be the first.
Jacek Cienciala takes over the management of this area as a eurythmist and eurythmy therapist.
Angelika Steinle and Bettina Klimpel provide therapeutic support for the cures. Medical presence in the winter months by Susanne Weischer.
2024
New employees in administration, accounting, reception and housekeeping support the Executive Board team.
A seminar room and a seminar kitchen on the finca allow for increased seminar activity. A new outdoor kitchen encourages communal cooking and sharing.
Extensive cultural program.
Visible and tangible changes. Complementing the anthroposophical offerings in the Therapeutikum.
Summer Academy: Development of a future profile.
2025
Full occupancy until after Easter. Change in the restaurant: new bistro concept with later integration of the organic food store.
Increased range of seminars for profile building. New website and social media presence.