Ibiza history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Ibiza (or Eivissa in Catalan) is rooted in deep antiquity. It was founded by Carthaginian colonists in 654 BC, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. The ancient settlers named this place Ibossim, dedicating it to Bes — a deity of protection, dance, and entertainment from the Egyptian and Phoenician pantheons.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into a prosperous ancient centre was driven by several important factors:

• Strategic Geography: A convenient natural harbour and a location at the crossroads of maritime routes between North Africa and Southern Europe made the city an ideal trade hub.
• Resource Extraction: The foundation of the economy was the extraction of salt (the "white gold" of antiquity) from natural salt flats, which are still in operation today.
• Defensibility: The hill upon which the Old Town (Dalt Vila) now stands provided an excellent vantage point and protection against pirates and enemy fleets.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During the Punic period, Ibiza was famous not only for its salt trade but also for the production of purple dye, wool, and garum (fish sauce). The city became a significant spiritual centre of the western Mediterranean, as evidenced by the immense necropolis of Puig des Molins. The cultural influence of Carthage here was so strong that even after the Roman conquest, the city long retained its traditions, language, and the right to mint its own currency.

Major Milestones in Ibiza's History

• 654 BC: Carthaginians establish the settlement of Ibossim, which quickly becomes a strategic trading port.
• 123 BC: The island enters the Roman sphere of influence under the name Ebusus, while retaining significant autonomy.
• 902 AD: The city comes under the rule of the Emirate of Cordoba, bringing the development of irrigation systems and the renovation of fortress walls.
• 1235: Ibiza joins the Crown of Aragon, marking the beginning of Catalan cultural influence and Christian traditions.
• 1554: By order of King Philip II, the construction of the powerful Renaissance walls of Dalt Vila begins to protect against pirates.
• 1782: King Charles III officially grants the settlement the status of a city, establishing an episcopal see here.
• 1867: Regular ferry services begin connecting the island with mainland Spain and neighbouring Mallorca.
• 1930s: European intellectuals and artists begin to discover the island, laying the foundations for its appeal to visitors.
• 1958: Ibiza Airport opens for commercial flights, launching the era of international tourism.
• 1960s: The city becomes a global capital of the hippie movement, attracting youth with an atmosphere of freedom and creativity.
• 1999: The historic centre of Dalt Vila and the island's natural treasures are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The evolution of Ibiza is a journey from a strategic outpost to a global tourism brand. The following stages played a decisive role in shaping the modern appearance and economy of the city:

• Salt Monopoly (Economic Foundation). For centuries, salt extraction in the ponds of Ses Salines was the main engine of the economy. "White gold" provided the city with income and trade connections long before the arrival of tourists, forming a unique natural-industrial landscape on the outskirts.
• Construction of the Dalt Vila Walls (Urban Planning). The erection of powerful bastions in the 16th century not only protected the population from corsairs but also "preserved" the historic centre. This architectural decision maintained the medieval street layout, which is today a primary magnet for cultural tourism.
• Opening of the Airport (Transport Revolution). The launch of commercial flights in 1958 was a turning point that brought the island out of isolation. This event marked the beginning of the era of mass tourism, radically changing the employment structure of the local population.
• Arrival of the Hippie Movement (Cultural Shift). In the 1960s, the city became a haven for the "flower children". This led to the birth of a unique atmosphere of tolerance, the appearance of famous craft markets, and the creation of the distinct Adlib fashion style, which remains popular to this day.
• Birth of the Clubbing Industry (New Economy). The opening of the first major venues (such as Pacha) in the 1970s transformed Ibiza into the world capital of electronic music. Nightlife became a city-forming industry, attracting investments and celebrities from around the globe.
• Modernisation of La Marina Port (Infrastructure). The reconstruction of the promenade and port allowed for the reception of cruise liners and luxury superyachts. The district at the foot of the fortress transformed from a modest fishing quarter into an elite zone with boutiques and restaurants.
• UNESCO Recognition (Image Change). The inclusion of the Upper Town in the World Heritage list in 1999 stimulated the restoration of monuments and helped diversify tourism, shifting the focus from parties to the rich historical heritage.

Architectural Eclecticism and Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of Ibiza is a visual chronicle of Mediterranean history, where Punic foundations, Arab street layouts, and Catalan traditions overlap. Urban development is clearly divided into the fortified Upper Town (Dalt Vila), which historically served as a refuge, and the port districts that grew during periods of relative safety.

The Renaissance Era and Military Architecture

The city's dominant feature is one of the best-preserved examples of Renaissance military architecture in Europe.

• Style: Renaissance fortification style.
• Period: 16th century.
• Features: Massive sloped walls designed by Italian engineers (Giovanni Battista Calvi and Jacopo Paleazzo) to withstand artillery fire and attacks. The fortification forms a heptagon with seven bastions.
• Iconic Object: The walls of Dalt Vila. The main entrance — the Portal de ses Taules — is adorned with the imperial coat of arms and ancient statues, demonstrating the power of the Spanish Crown of that time.

Gothic and Baroque in Sacred Architecture

The city's religious structures demonstrate an evolution of styles, often combining a severe exterior (serving also as shelter during raids) with more decorative interiors.

• Style: Catalan Gothic transitioning into Baroque.
• Period: 13th–18th centuries.
• Features: Initially strict Gothic forms were eventually supplemented with Baroque elements during renovations.
• Iconic Buildings:
  • Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows (Catedral de Santa María): Built on the site of an Arab mosque. It features a trapezoidal Gothic bell tower and sacristy, though the interior was significantly updated in the Baroque style in the 18th century.
  • Church of Santo Domingo: An example of 17th-century architecture with tiled domes, characteristic of Eastern Spain.

Traditional Architecture and Proto-Modernism

The unique "Ibizan style" was formed over centuries under the influence of the climate and a scarcity of materials, anticipating the ideas of modern minimalism.

• Style: Vernacular functionalism.
• Features: Cubic forms, thick stone walls whitewashed with lime to reflect the sun, flat roofs for collecting rainwater, and small windows to keep the interior cool.
• Influence: In the 1930s, this style attracted the attention of European modernist architects (such as Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius), who saw the embodiment of modern architectural logic in the simple white houses of Ibiza.
• Districts: The neighbourhoods of La Marina and Sa Penya. Here, a chaotic cluster of white houses forms a labyrinth of narrow streets descending from the fortress walls to the port.

Rationalism and Modernity

In the 20th century, the development of tourism brought new trends, which, however, attempted to fit harmoniously into the historical context.

• Style: Rationalism and modern resort architecture.
• Period: From the mid-20th century to the present.
• Features: The use of simple geometric volumes, glass, and concrete, but with respect for the island's traditional white palette. A major contribution was made by German architect Erwin Broner, who combined Bauhaus principles with local traditions.
• Iconic Objects: Casa Broner in the Sa Penya district — a striking example of 1960s modernism, now converted into a museum.

Distinguished Personalities in Ibiza's History

The history of the city and the island is inextricably linked with the names of conquerors, thinkers, and creators who shaped its appearance over the centuries.

• Guillem de Montgrí — Archbishop and Commander (13th century)
  A key figure of the Reconquista in the Balearic Islands. In 1235, he led the conquest of Ibiza. It was he who signed the charter that defined the administrative and legal structure of the city for centuries to come, and initiated the construction of the cathedral.
• Giovanni Battista Calvi — Military Engineer (16th century)
  An Italian architect in the service of the Spanish Crown. He designed and began the construction of the grand fortress walls of Dalt Vila. His engineering solutions turned the city into an impregnable fortress and gave Ibiza its most recognisable architectural silhouette.
• Isidor Macabich — Priest and Historian (1883–1973)
  Known as the official chronicler of the city. He dedicated his life to collecting archives and writing the fundamental "History of Ibiza". Thanks to his works, knowledge of the island's Punic and Roman past, as well as local folklore traditions, has been preserved.
• Erwin Broner — Architect and Artist (1898–1971)
  A German modernist who fled to Ibiza. He became the ideologue of the "Grupo 59" creative collective and created a unique architectural style that combined Bauhaus principles with traditional Ibizan masonry. His house-museum is an important cultural point in the city.
• Marià Villangómez — Poet and Translator (1913–2002)
  The main literary voice of Ibiza in the 20th century. He played a decisive role in the preservation and development of the Catalan language on the island. His poems celebrate the landscapes and spirit of Ibiza, and his translations gave locals access to world poetry.
• Walter Benjamin — Philosopher and Cultural Critic (1892–1940)
  The famous German thinker lived in the city and its surroundings in the early 1930s. In his "Letters from Ibiza", he documented the archaic way of life on the island before the dawn of the tourism era, creating an important cultural record of that time.
• Abel Matutes — Politician and Entrepreneur (born 1941)
  An Ibiza native who served as Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs and as a European Commissioner. As a businessman, he played a key role in the transformation of the island's economy, turning it into a modern, world-class tourism centre.