Ibiza, 25 Years As A World Heritage Site

The city of Ibiza will this year celebrate 25 years as World Heritage Site with an ambitious program of activities. Ibiza joined this exclusive global group on 4 December 1999, an international distinction that recognizes the historical, cultural and architectural value of four different elements, namely, the walled town of Dalt Vila, which shelters within its walls narrow streets and monuments such as the castle and the cathedral, and its walls tell the story of the different civilizations that have passed through this acropolis such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs.

This setting has always provided the scenario for concerts, exhibitions and numerous cultural activities such as the Eivissa Medieval Fair, which takes place every year on the second weekend of May.

The Phoenician remains in Sa Caleta are the second element of Ibiza’s World Heritage, in the municipal district of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, located between the beaches of Sa Caleta and Es Bol Nou. This is the archaeological site of the first Phoenician settlement on the island, dating back to the 8th century BCE. Its inhabitants, who came from the Iberian Peninsula, were seeking metals and remained here until the early 6th century BCE, and later moved to Dalt Vila.

This area is currently undergoing conservation and remodeling work to provide a 360º experience, immersing visitors in a more realistic way, which will be combined with a virtual part of the visit, bringing to life the history and origins of the island for visitors. There will be an Interpretation Center that will open its doors in 2024.

The third element of Ibizan World Heritage is the Phoenician-Carthaginian necropolis of Puig des Molins, which has also been included in the heritage declaration as it is the oldest of its kind in Ibiza, and the most important in the Western Mediterranean. The Necropolis is located on a hill in the centre of the city of Ibiza and it is remarkable for its excellent state of conservation, and for the numerous Carthaginian hypogea or burial chambers. While 350 graves are visible, the real number has been calculated at around 3,000. In the museum of Puig des Molins, some singular pieces and objects of material culture are used to explain how the concept of death evolved in antiquity.

Finally, Posidonia oceanica or sea grass is the fourth element of World Heritage. This marine plant, which is native to the island, is the reason for the turquoise colour of the waters around Ibiza and its beaches, and for keeping them so crystal clear. These sea grass meadows form the most important ecosystem in the Mediterranean, equivalent to forests in land ecosystems. Science has proved countless times the importance of this plant for maintaining the quality of the waters, along with the formation and conservation of the beaches, and its role in protecting the coastline from erosion.