The
history of Ibiza and Formentera
Recent archaeological diggings prove that the first
settlements on Ibiza and Formentera date back to
over 3000 years ago. A grave was found on Formentera
which dates back to 1600 years B.C. Cave paintings
at Ses Fontanelles (north from San Antonio - 800
years B.C.), and bronze axes and discs found near
San Juan and San Agustin (700 years B.C.) provide
further evidence of these early settlements.
The Carthaginians
In the year 654 B.C. the Carthaginians discovered
Ibiza and founded Ibiza Town, making this one
of the earliest towns in Europe. The christened
the town Ibossim, quite similar to its present
day name. Another name for Ibiza which has survived
until now comes from the Greeks, who came to Ibiza
during the time of the Carthaginians: they called
the two islands of Ibiza and Formentera, the Pitiusas
- which means the pine-covered island.
The Carthaginian people originated in Phoenicia,
and became known as the Carthaginians after the
founding of the city of Carthage (geographically
located in the Tunisia of today). Whilst the Romans
called them in Latin, the Punic folk.
The Carthaginians were merchants and traders,
and Ibiza became a very important trading centre.
Even in those days, Ibiza boasted a large harbour
and strong city walls - (although the walls we
can see today were built much, much later). The
most important of the goods traded was 'White
Gold' - Salt. The Salinas which were constructed
by the Carthaginians are still used to day to
win salt from sea water, by a process of evaporation.
Ibiza also played an important role in the Carthaginian
culture as their largest burial grounds. Historians
assume that the dead were buried here because
there were no wild animals to dig them out again.
The burial grounds at Puig des Molins in Ibiza
Town is home to the world's largest collection
of punic artefacts - most of which have been discovered
in graves. A case of the dead being buried with
utensils and objects to help them on the way in
the next life.
Amongst the Gods of the Carthaginians, the Goddess
Tanit enjoys particular fame. She is the Mother
of the Gods, the Goddess of the Earth and of fertility.
You can see her image on many of the ceramic pots
made on Ibiza today.
The Romans
'Carthage must be destroyed'. It was this battle
cry which accompanied the Romans into the Punic
Wars. They succeeded, and eventually, in 123 B.C.,
conquered the Balearic Islands. Not even Hannibal
could prevent this, when he marched across the
Alps with his elephants 100 years previously to
invade and conquer Rome, (which, as you may know,
he didn't quite manage). This legendary general
is supposed to have been born on the island of
Conejera just off the coast of San Antonio.
The Romans called Ibiza, Ebusus. The island
was not however made part of the Roman Empire.
It retained its independence as a confederation
town. Evidence of the Roman occupation can still
be seen by the gates at the entrance to Dalt Vila
(the Old Town), where there are two copies of
Roman statues; and in Santa Eulalia, where the
old Roman bridge crosses the now dried-up river
at the entrance to the town. This bridge has recently
been restored.
After the Romans, between the 5th and 9th centuries
A.D. there are large gaps in the chronological
history of the Pitiusan Islands. Remember that
this is the time of the Goths and Visigoths in
Europe - a dark ages where there is little historical
record. During this time, Ibiza was invaded and
conquered by such folk as the Vandals, the Barbarians
and the Byzantines. Ibiza enjoyed a certain independence
under the Byzantine Empire. Improvements to her
irrigation system and the share-cropping system
are due to Byzantine influence. One of the few
relics of this epoch is the underground Chapel
at Santa Ines.
The Arabs
The Arabs came in the 9th century A.D. and stayed
for almost 500 years. They called the island Yebisah.
The arabic influence can still be felt strongly
today in many customs, such as the construction
of the houses, traditional costumes and musical
instruments, and of course in the island dialect
'Ibicenco'.
On the hill in Ibiza Town, they built a large
mosque (on the ruins of a temple dedicated to
the God Mercury) and fortified the city walls.
The remains of these walls and some of the watchtowers
can still be seen today. Ibiza experienced a period
of economic growth under Arab rule. The Salt fields,
agriculture and fishing were the main sources
of income.
The Catalans
Ibiza was conquered by the Catalans on the 8th
August, 1235. Legend says that the the strongly
fortified citadel was only eventually captured
through treachery: Ibiza Town was considered at
that time to be unconquerable due to its city
walls and fortuitous geographical location. However,
the ruling Sheik and his brother quarrelled over
a mistress from his harem, whereupon the brother
revealed the secret underground entrance to the
Town, to the besieging Catalan forces. You can
still see this secret passage in the Calle de
San Ciriaco in D'Alt Vila. Unfortunately you can't
crawl through it, as it is fenced off to the public!
The Church
The Catalans tore down the Arab mosque, and built
the present day Cathedral on its foundations.
The villages of the island were renamed after
Christian Saints, and many churches were constructed:
the oldest of which are in Santa Eulalia, San
Antonio, San Miguel and Sant Jordi. Most of the
rest of the island's churches were built in the
18th century.
The Pirates
The ruling Catalans (from mainland Spain) rather
neglected the islands during the following centuries,
which were marked by plundering and marauding
by pirates. In order to defend themselves, the
villagers built the defensive churches with extra
fortified walls, where the village would shelter
in the event of an attack. These churches often
had cannons on their roofs! In the 16th century,
the Italian architect Calvi completed the construction
of the walls of Ibiza Town - the same walls we
see today.
The pirate towers lining the coast were built
a bit later. Some of them can still be seen today.
Originally, each of these towers was within sight
of the next one. In the event of an invasion or
sighting of a pirate ship, the tower would light
a warning fire, which could be seen by the next
tower, which in turn lit its own fire, and so
on, until the the entire island was aware of the
danger, and was able to seek safety in the churches.
A primitive but very effective early warning system.
Ibiza today is perhaps not so different. People
from many races and countries descend upon the
island each year, take what they want and depart.
The locals have been used to this type of behaviour
for thousands of years. No wonder that the islanders
are famous for their tolerance!
|
