Formentera

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.

History, language, culture

Formentera, a borderland, has had an eventful history and its fate has almost always been linked to that of Eivissa. Man´s presence on the island goes back at least 4.000 years. The Can Blai encampment, nearby Es Caló, remains as the most important exponent of the Roman occupation. After domination by the Arabs, Eivissa and Formentera were conquered by Cataln troops in 1235. Emigration to distant lands was a significant feature until the middle of the 20th century wheb tourism radically changed the economy and the life of the Formentera people. The hippies decisively contributed towards the fame of Formentera and associated the island with a different kind of tourism. With the plocamation of the Statute of Autonomy (home rules) in 1983, Catalan, in its insular form, was established as en official language together with Spanish, and the institutions of self government: Govern de les Illes Balears the Parlament, and the Consell Insular were returned.

Even today the origins of Formentera´s folklore are largely unknown. Although the Arab influence (particularly in the singing) is obvious, there are many nuances which throw some doubt on this hypothesis. The symbology of the dances is particularly interesting, as well as the unusual instruments used, which are hand crafted from wholly native materials.

The costumes are spectacular, especially the women´s party dress, with its priceless gold “prendada”, in contrast to the sombre black simplicity of the workday clothes.

Culture

Ethnological Museum

Aprt from its merely maritime character, Formentera also has strong ties to its sparse earht. The local farmers experienced great difficulty due to the limestone soil with which they have to work, struggling hard to extract a bare living from the land, and these hardships are reflected in the parmanent exhibition in the insland´s Ethnological Museum.

Almost every example of the ancient rural tools, as well as some splendid folklore instruments, are on show in this Museum. Definitely a visit to the Museum, with full information given by the guide, as well as the opportunity to watch an exhibition of folklorem, together with a gastronomic treat, is a most attractive proposition.

Free time

Sports and leisure

The best way to enjoy Formentera is on a bike, althought visitors with little experience of cycling should not underestimate the smallness of the island. There is a magnificent and well sign-posted network of rural roads, inviting the cyclist to leave behind the asphalt and enter into direct contact with the Formentera countryside.

For lovers of all kind of water sports Formentera is a small paradise. There are moorings for pleasure boats in La Savina, next to the commercial port. As well as activities on the beaches and in the open sea, Estany des Peix, a bay with a narrow passage to the sea, offers the advantages of a lake for certain sports, such as canoeing.

Fishing

Sometimes the sophistication of the sporting world is surprising, and can complicate something which could be easy and simple.

Formentera´s special peculiarities make it possible to dedicate part of your holiday to fishing in its different modes. A sport which can be practised without previous instruction and with very little cost. During your stay on the island, you can fish with a rod either in organised groups or individually. You can also go out fishing in a boat, and underwater fishing, once you have obtained the necessary licence.

Gastronomy

Typical products. Gastronomy & shopping

Fish is the luxury ingredient of Formentera gastronomy. Whether in the two Mediterranean fish stews, guisat or bullit, or as an essential part of recipes with rice, the fish from Formentera can transform any dish into the whole culinary essence of Mediterranean cooking.

Fresh or dry figs, goat cheese and the excellent peix sec – fish dried in the sun, then cut up small and added to salads –are some of the secrets of the local specialities.

The hippy culture has left its mark in many of the handicrafts that the visitor can buy in Formentera. Jumpers made of hand –women wool- rough, warn and confortable- are another magnificent buy.

Crafts

Crafts and traditions

Traditional music is still very much alive in Formentera. The ball pages (folk dance) is not just a showpiece but part of the people´s festive expression, never missing form island fiestas (Santa Maria, 5th August; San Ferran, 30th May; Nostra Senyora del Carmen, 16th july; Sant Jaume, patron of the island, 25th july; El Pilar, 12th October; Sant Francesc Xavier, 3rd December). Along with traditional music, música de raíces has taken strong hold in Formentera: young local performers compose their own creations going back to their roots in traditional folk music. Formentera´s arts and crafts are varied and reflect the island´s newfound diversity. In the La Mola bazaar (on late Sunday afternoons during the summer), naturalized Formenterans from distant places offer their wares of jewellery, paintings, ceramics, clothing, and a long, wide-ranging etcetera, all of which can be purchased in the knowledge that handcrafted production of all these goods is guaranteed by the comission of craftsmen that organizes the market. Together with such items of cosmopolitan inspiration, visitors will find others that are more traditional, such as thick hand-knitted sweaters of crude Formenteran wool.

What to buy
Handicrafts, in any shape or form, are the most usual and recommendable purchase in Formentera. Visitors appreciate well-crafted work and will find it here with creators from all over the world, whose work is midway between craft and the strictly artistic. Painters and sculptors from the island, or some with international reputations, who have second studios in Formentera, show and sell their work, sometimes in the studio itself.