Ibiza is a small but yet amazing island that belongs to Spain. Whether they talk about the “white island”, because of the large amount of white houses on the island, or about the “pine tree island”, they refer to the same amazing spot located at 80 km off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean Sea.
Ibiza is not the largest of the Balearic Islands, but due to its position it offers more hours of sun than Mallorca has to offer. Even during wintertime we encounter a mild and pleasant climate with temperatures that rarely go below 15 Celsius degrees.
You don’t need to dig to deep in order to find reasons to plan a trip to Ibiza. With its sunny beaches, riotous nightlife, great family destinations and many other attractions, Ibiza offers the great travel destination for young and old, romantic and active tourists.
What remains to many people unknown is the history of the island. Archeological diggings prove that even 3000 years ago people inhabited Ibiza and Fomenter. Tourists can see with their own eyes the cave paintings from Ses Fontanelles at San Antonio which stand proof for the long history of the island.
The island was discovered 654 B. C. by the Carthaginians, who than founded the Town of Ibiza. A fact not commonly known is that the Town of Ibiza is one of the earliest towns in Europe. The Carthaginians were known merchants and traders, so they took advantage of the good position of the island and developed Ibiza into an important centre for trading and commerce.
Because of the fact that Carthage became a threat for the Roman Empire, the Romans started the Punic wars with the purpose to conquer Carthage, which they eventually succeeded in 123 B. C. . Plenty of evidence of the Roman occupation can still be found in Dalt Vila and Santa Eulalia. Even under the Roman occupation, Ibiza, maintained some of its autonomy.
After the decline of the Roman empire Vandals and Barbarians invaded Ibiza .These invasions were followed by those of the ones of the Byzantines and then of the Arabs. The Arabs kept the domination of Ibiza for more than 400 years. During this time the island was known under the name of Yebisah, a term very closely related to Ibiza of today. Arabic influence can be sensed nowadays in different customs and traditions still present on the island. The Arabs fortified the city with thick walls, which made Ibiza very hard to conquer.
On the 8th of August in the year of 1235, after great struggle and effort, the Catalans succeed to conquer the once considered unconquerable Ibiza. They started to build a Cathedral in the place of an Arabic mosque, a Cathedral that is can still be seen on the hill of the island. Manny churches on the island date from this time of the Catalanian occupation , especially those in the older parts of the island: Sant Jordi, Santa Eulalia, San Miguel, San Antonio.
The ruling Catalans didn’t show much interest in Ibiza afterwards, they didn’t put much effort in defending it, so Ibiza became a main target for plundering pirates. The inhabitants of the island decided to take action and they built “the pirate towers” in order to defend themselves from pirates. Some of the ruins of these towers can still be seen in different parts of the island.
Taking a tour through the history Ibiza one can notice that the past of this island is as magical and tumultuous as its beauty and attraction is. Whether young or old, people are magnetized by the beauty and mystery of this island. Nostradamus, the French physician and astrologer considered in one of his predictions that ‘Ibiza will be Earth’s final refuge’, adding even more mystery and myth to this place.
Ibiza, also known as “the island of light” with it’s sunny beaches, clear air, amazing surroundings and friendly inhabitants has been place of relaxation and inspiration for various artists through the time.
In the early timers Ibiza was believed to be a sacred island blessed by the Gods, because of its soil which wouldn’t allow survival of any reptile or animal that could harm humans. Phoenicians believed that by carrying amulets containing some of this soil, they would be protected from any harm.