IBIZA

Ibiza is located in the Mediterranean Sea, to the east of the Spanish Peninsula, and is one of the Balearic Islands. Ibiza, which covers 572 km2, is a whole world in miniature and stretches from the coast inland. Ibiza -with its smooth relief- along with Formentera, make up the so-called Pitiusas islands. The Greeks referred to them as the islands of the pines, Ibiza itself being the larger of the two.

Ibiza ● Ibiza town● The capital is located in the Municipality of Eivissa. Its fortification, declared a

World Heritage Site, is full of narrow streets and monuments such as the Castle and the Cathedral. Its construction was ordered by Philip II of Spain, giving Eivissa a strategic role in his defence policy for the Mediterranean. The fortification’s aim was to stop the Berber pirates’ invasions and plunders. It was the Italian engineer Giovanni Batista Calvi who conducted the ambitious project of erecting these defensive walls. Afterwards, Jacobo Paleazzo Fratín enlarged the initial project and carried it out. The construction started in 1554 and it is believed to have lasted 31 years.

History of IbizaNowadays, Dalt Vila’s historic centre has been transformed into an outdoor museum. It is a place where the visitor can find traces of all the peoples that have settled in the island: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Muslims, up to the Conquest of Catalonia in the XIII century. The main gateway to enter this historical complex is the Portal de Ses Taules drawbridge, as well as the Mercat Vell (Old Market), although other beautiful gates can be used, such as the Portal Nou, next to the Reina Sofia Park.

Once inside the fortification, there are several monuments you can visit: the Cathedral, which is the Diocesan Museum’s See; Santo Domingo’s Church; San Ciriaco’s Chapel, the City Council’s See whose cloister is used as a venue for many sort of exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events throughout the year; and finally, the Archaelogical Museum, where you can find an impressive collection of pieces that belonged to the island ancient inhabitants, from Prehistory to the Islamic Middle Ages

Monuments The agreement signed in 1234 by Guillermo de Montgrí, Peter of Portugal and Nuno Sanç, future conquerors of the islands, established as one of the first obligations to create a parish dedicated to Saint Mary, in the city of Ibiza. This parish became a reality once the conquest was taken on, on 8th August 1235. At first it was set up in an already existing building, maybe a Muslim mosque readapted to Christian cult, though this fact has never been proved despite the many archaeological investigations that have been carried out. Available data show that on the east side was added, to a pre-existing building, the whole unit made up of the bell tower of trapezoidal ground plan and the polygonal apse with its five chapels. It is a very solid building, of classic gothic style, built on XVI century. Moreover, from the steeple the important set of bells of XVI and XVII century on the third floor is to be pointed out; they have been recently restored by the Heritage Conselleria. It is considered by the experts as one of the most relevant of its kind. We know that in 1435, the church had five chapels dedicated to Saint James and Saint Michael, to Saint Tecla and Saint Anthony, to Saint John Baptist and Saint John Evangelist and to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. A new nave was built at the end of XV century, finished off with the Fonda chapel made by the Francolins in 1538. In XVIII century, taking into account the bad condition of the temple ? particularly that of its roofs - a big refurbishment was carried out in the building. The works were directed by Jaume Espinosa and Pere Ferro ?obrers de la vila? [labourers of the city] and they took place between 1715 and 1728. In 1782, the Pope Pius VI founded the episcopal seat of Ibiza and the medieval church, renovated, became the Cathedral, which would have to perpetually remain suffragan of Tarragona, as it has previously happened when it was a parish, because of the binding of the old conquerors. The cathedral keeps many works of art, among which the following are to be pointed out: a gothic monstrance of golden silver, made by Francesc Martí in 1399, two gothic panels of Saint Tecla and Saint Anthony, painted by Francesc Cornes in XIV century and another two, of XV century in this case, from the master Valentí Montoliu, that represent Saint James and Saint Matthew.

Monuments

Night of Ibiza

NightlifeThere is no doubt that Ibiza is the capital city of fun. Here you will find the very best nightlife and the best clubs and DJs from all over the world. The island bars and discos offer more than just music. They also put on incredible and fun audiovisual spectacles which are advertised in the streets around the port of Ibiza. In consequence, it is not unusual to find celebrities soaking up the atmosphere on the terrace bars and in the discos on the island.

Nightlife Ibiza Bars.

After a meal, one of the most common places to start the ball rolling is in one of Ibiza's many bars. You will come across more than you can count while strolling through the Port of Ibiza Town in the summer months. From the gay corner's of Dome down to the famous Rock Bar or in local hang-outs like Da Igual, there is something for everyone.

The Ibiza Port is the venue where all the major clubs parade and promote their nights parties. Most of the nights you'll see the club's dancers along with some very "interesting characters".

San Antonio comes with a reputation that precedes but it also has many great places to start out you night. To watch the sunset at Kumharas is probably a less commercial option to its Cafe del Mar and Mambo counterparts and probably will prove more memorable. Kumharas also has a nightly market, restaurant and performance shows combined with local and international Djs.

Of course the main centres are not the only place start the night, there are many establishments which offer great ambience, company and yes, a well mixed drink.

Ibiza ClubsSpace, Pacha, Amnesia, Privilege, Esparadis and Eden are the biggest names of Ibiza's clubbing scene but sometimes over commercialism, the real spirit has been lost to overcrowded dance floors and hefty door prices.If you don't follow the crowd you can find some more alternative venues which in some cases will out perform the bigger venues with their music and energy. Kilometro Cinco (Km5) is a great example of this, where you can dine, drink and party (until 4am). Set in beautiful country gardens with a restaurant, whale-bar and local art exhibitions, Km5 is definitely a great place to spend the night.Another definate place to check is Bambuddha Grove which is a favourite for visitors and locals alike with an excellent restaurant and music late into the night. More central is The Underground which often has excellent music and crowds from all over the world.Grail Ibiza won't go without a mention either as its close proximity to Pacha and being on the way from the port is a great place for Pacha pre-drinks. There is always a special blend of locals with the tourist crowd in summer where you can dance to music from a selection of some of the best dj's in Ibiza. Planning the night outA good approach to choosing your clubbing nights out is to listen to where the other people are going but also to go with your own instincts, maybe you'll discover one of the many magical nights of Ibiza that others will only hear about.Above all, make sure you have a great (and safe) time what ever you do

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