Eivissa is the capital of the island.
Ibiza has a rich and exciting history. A story that will experience a turning point in the 7th century BC.
At that time, Phoenician navigators landed on the island and brought new knowledge to the population, such as the mastery of fire, glasswork and the exploitation of wood. Thanks to this new knowledge Ibiza was developing. A development accelerated by the geographical situation of the island, in the open sea, ideal for trading. Thanks to the construction of a port the Phoenicians sold mainly salt, marble and lead. History is on the move.
Over the centuries Ibiza has grown, developed and become a platform for exchanges with other Mediterranean regions and beyond. As the conquests progressed, the island was transformed, coming under the control of the Carthaginians. A domination that will cease at the fall of Carthage, which became Roman. Then, in 146 B.C., a new period came out for Ibiza : Romans period. An influence that allows the island to take advantage of technological progress, particularly in agriculture and especially olive oil extraction. Fishing was also making progress at that time. Ibiza becoming a must for fishing production.
A report to discover…
Then comes the Muslim period, in the year 711. The domination of the Berbers in Africa had a huge impact on customs, eating habits and construction, notably through the first windmills.
One people chasing another, then it’s the turn of the Christians to reconquer the Ibiza lands.
And it was in the 13th century that Catalan domination began, giving the island an identity that still transpires today.
Another report for the road…
In the years that followed Ibiza had to protect itself from pirate attacks by building towers to keep a close eyes on the horizon. Each attack, inhabitants take refuge in the fortified churches or the walls. Moreover, Dalt Vila walls, built during the Renaissance, have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Finally, the modern Ibiza as we know it today, which attracts so many visitors every year, originated in the 1960s with the arrival of the hippy movement. Pacifists who have fallen in love with the beauty of the island and the sense of freedom it provides. A small paradise that attracts many artists, philosophers and writers. It is this hippie movement that has made Ibiza a name for itself, attracting holidaymakers seeking to discover its charm.
This is what Ibiza is, an island with complex origins, tinged with different cultures. An island that has known so many varied civilizations that to reduce it to one is impossible. Ibiza is multiple, it is plural, and that is why it is so fascinating.
From the Phoenicians to the Romans, from the Muslims to the hippies, every piece of the island is a legacy of its rich history. It’s up to you to find out.