Have you ever seen a cemetery embraced by a beach? This is the Cofete Cemetery. Here, sand and silence meet by the ocean’s edge.
The Cofete Cemetery isn’t easy to find. A rugged dirt road stretches from Morro Jable for 20 kilometers. Many come for the famous Playa de Cofete. They often miss this small, hidden cemetery. Few realize the history it holds.
Everything began here in the 19th century. Families moved from Morro Jable. At the time, it was just a small fishing village. They sought new lands and better lives.
Things changed in the early 1930s. Gustav Winter, a wealthy German man, bought nearly all of the Jandía peninsula. Winter built a large villa. It’s clearly visible from Playa de Cofete. He also began major agricultural projects. The village of Cofete grew. It even had over 100 residents. Most worked for the rich German owner.
During World War II, the area became isolated. No one could leave or enter. Many new crosses appeared in the Cofete Cemetery during those years. These were simple wooden crosses. Many had no names.
The Cofete Cemetery is enclosed by a low wall. Small sand dunes slowly cover it. The main entrance has a wooden door. It remains intact. To the right of the door, there was a block of black stone. It recorded the names of the deceased.
The last burial here was in the mid-1950s.
Approaching the Cofete Cemetery, you will see a small wall partly buried by sand. An old door beckons you to enter. Inside, you’ll find sand, stones, and weathered wooden crosses. Without the black stone block bearing names, you might think you are still on the beach.
This unique churchyard opened in the early 19th century. It served the first villagers of Cofete. It was their only communal space. They did not have to pay rent to the Marquis of Lanzarote for it.
Local legend tells of an airstrip. It suggests Gustav Winter had it built in the mid-1950s. This would improve connections to the area. It would allow planes to arrive and depart. Some say the airstrip was for secret uses. These uses link to a submarine base near Cofete.
The Cofete Cemetery is more than a burial ground. It reflects the lives and mysteries of this remote place.