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Ibiza – Historical Places
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Dalt Vila (meaning “high town”) is the Old Town of Ibiza Town; it’s
over 2600 years old, and reveals traces of all the different civilisations that
have inhabited it over the centuries. It’s an old fortress that towers at
the top of the city, visible from far; it looks exactly the same now as it did in
the 16th century. A beautiful steep bridge leads up to the Portal de Tablas, the
gated entrance to Dalt Vila. Narrow, cobble stone streets make up this fortress,
and views
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from the different leveled terraces are beautiful. The old cobble stone
courtyard, Plaza de Vila, right inside the Portal de Tablas, is lined with restaurants,
bars, art galleries and souvenir shops.
Brasilio de Oliviera, responsible for the mythic La Troya parties now at Amnesia,
is said to be the “Godfather” of Ibiza's nightlife. His legendary parties
have been going strong since 1978 and is a definite must-see when on the island.
The flamboyance is hard to top. Another clubbing milestone worth a visit is Manumission.
For the brave souls, a visit to Sa Talaila (meaning the watchtower) is in order.
At 475 meters, it is the highest point of the island. From the top you can enjoy
a panoramic (but not spectacular) view of the island. For brave souls only, as getting
there is a nightmare; it is the worst dirt-track road I have ever driven, without
any barriers and a free fall off the mountain (which, let me remind you, is the
highest point of the island). It still gives me goose bumps to think of driving
there, and I definitely count it as a near death experience.
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| Beautiful churches are found throughout the island. The Church of Sant Antoni, a short westward drive from Ibiza Town, is a stunning 14th century church that replaced a mosque from the time of the Arabs, when Christians reconquered the island. Back in the day it served as a fortress with a watchtower to warn against pirates. The Church of Santa Eularia is another fortress like church with a watchtower, and beautiful view of the bay. The Church of Nuestra Senora, in the village of Jesus, is a15th century creation with late Gothic and renaissance influences. |
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Es Vedra, visible from Cala d’Hort, is a large rock formation off the coast,
said to have magical powers. Numerous UFO sightings have been registered from this
mythic rock;
legend has it that Homer capsized here during his Iliad, and that the city of Atlantis
is hidden underneath. It is said to be responsible for the magnetism that keeps
people coming back to the island, the reason visiting Ibiza only once is never enough. |
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Pacha was the first club to open on the island, and since 1973 they are going strong.
It is the only club that is open all year, and therefor the favorite of the locals.
It has come to be considered as the Mecca of house music, setting industry standards.
The franchise of the name has not been as successful as the original.
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Text courtesy of ‘Ibiza Virgin: A study of the island and its clubbing cluture’
by Jennifer Eric |
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