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Ibiza |
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In a nutshell: you watch the sunset or go out to eat, then into town for some drinks, mingling and maybe a dance and then on to one of the clubs for the big night with your favourite DJ. There are many smaller clubs, such as DC10, Konga, Summum and Extasis; and many music bars however, most of the world famous parties you've heard about take place in the clubs mentioned on our night life feature. Ibiza, on the sun route of the ancient Phoenicians, is situated in The western Mediterranean. It has an extension of 572 square kms and a coastline of 210 kms. Its highest elevation is s'Atalaiassa (475 metres) and in The waters which surround the island there are a total of 48 smaller islands, some of which, such as sa Conillera (7,29 square kms) are in themselves a small world. In reality the whole of the island is a small big world extending from the coast to the interior, its surface generally hilly and mountainous, and offers all sorts of contrasts which instil in the visitor an adventurous spirit, so that the might discover an interest in culture, tradition, nature or art. The history of Ibiza has its beginnings in 1600 BC, however, there are no chronological records until 654 BC, when Carthage founded lbosim, nowadays Eivissa, the capital of the island, and it was Diodoro Sículo who was the first to mention us. After the afore -mentioned island (Sardinia) lies the so-called Pitiusa, which carries this name because of the great number of pine trees wbich grow on it...". The Carthaginians of ibiza came from Phoenicia and were very good traders. They were followed by the Romans under whom Ibiza received the title of Confederated City. In the following five centuries, know as the "dark centuries" because very little is known about them, ruled the Barbarians and the Byzantines, and their rule ended in the year 711 when the Arabs arrived and with them the name "Yebisah" for the island. The key Catalonian conquest took place, an act with wich the islands Ibiza and Formentera became part of what we nowadays call "western world". In this short historical résumé it must also be mentioned that for centuries Ibiza was attacked by Saracens who, under the protection of Turkish squadrons, made the Mediterranean unsafe. From this epoch stem the fortified rural churches and the watch towers that surround the island. Ibiza preserves considerable evidence of its long history. The Phoenician ruins of Sa Caleta and the Phoenician-Punic cemetery of Puig des Molins are exceptional evidence of urbanization and social life in the Phoenician colonies of the western Mediterranean. They constitute a unique resource, in terms of volume and importance, of material from the Phoenician and Carthaginian tombs. The fortified Upper Town (Alta Vila or Dalt Vila) is an outstanding example a fortified acropolis which preserves in an exceptional way in its walls and in its urban fabric successive imprints of the earliest Phoenicians settlements and the Arab and Catalan periods through to the Renaissance bastions. The long process of building the defensive walls has not destroyed the earlier phases or the street pattern, but has incorporated them in the ultimate phase. The intact 16th century fortifications of Ibiza bear unique witness to the military architecture and engineering and the aesthetics of the Renaissance. This Italian-Spanish model was very influential, especially in the construction and fortification of towns in the New World. The culture and folklore of our days are a result of the influences of the different people that colonized the island in the past. The traditional dances - "Sa llarga" and "Sa curta" - consist of the flirtation between men and women. The latter make circles around her suitors while the men show their male abilities jumping and playing huge "castañuelas ". In the traditional music can be found remains of the culture from Northern Africa, as well as in the jewels the farmers wear on their chest. The "emprendada" is composted by three gold strings with "sa joia" and "s´adreç". The colourful typical suits and dances can be watched in the popular parties celebrated in the churches of all Pitiusas islands all year round. The seaworthy celebrations to honour "la Virgen del Carmen" are an explosion of colour and joy. The people go out to the sea with any kind of boat and carry the image of the patron. Ibiza has a vibrant shopping scene, with something for everyone. From hippy markets to designer boutiques, there is no shortage of artistic creativity and style on the island of Ibiza. There are many jewellery designers on the island producing designs ranging from hippy chic to more expensive items such as diamond rings and diamond earrings. The famous Lladro porcelain can be purchased at great prices on the island, and you can also find new collections not yet available elsewhere in the world. Ibiza Town is one of the best places to shop, with shops staying open until after midnight during the summer months. The streets are filled with colourful creations sold by street vendors, making it a great place to wander around of an evening. You won't find the usual array of big high street names in Ibiza, as it is very much more focused on small independent shops. You will find many small designer shops such as Det Det, Antik Batik, and Ibiza Republic.
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