iBiza History

We have evidence that settlements on iBiza date back over 3000 years. In 654 BC the Carthaginians discovered the island and founded iBiza town making it one of the earliest towns in Europe.

The Carthaginians were merchants and they used iBiza as a trading hub. It had a large harbor and they built strong city walls. The mainly traded salt made in salt pans in Salinas. You can still see them today and the process of making salt by evaporation largely remains unchanged.

The Carthaginians also used iBiza to bury there dead. It’s thought they chose the island as there were no wild animals to dig up the corpses.

The Romans came next they conquered iBiza in 123 BC. They built a bridge over the river in Santa Eulalia which you can still see today - although the river is long gone.

Between the 5th and the 9th Century the iBiza was invaded by the Vandals, the Barbarians and the Byzantines.

The Arabs came in the 9th century A.D. and stayed for almost 500 years. The Arabic influence can still be felt strongly today in many customs, such as the construction of the houses, traditional costumes and the island dialect ‘Ibicenco’.

On the 8th of August 1235 The Caralans invaded the island. They built a Cathedral on the spot where they tore down the Arab mosque and everyone had to convert to Christianity. Churches were built and the oldest on the island can be found in Santa Eulalia, San Antonio Sant Jordi and San Miguel.

iBiza has had more than its fair share of invaders and the invasions continue in the form of stag and hen parties in San Antonio every weekend during the summer months. I think I’d prefer the Vandals.