Look past the bars and clubs and you will find a wealth of art and culture that dates back to the Phoenicians
Ibiza Launches Contemporary Art Brochure
The Ibiza Tourist Board’s commitment to showcasing the alternative side to the ‘White Isle’ is demonstrated with a new brochure aimed at highlighting Ibiza’s contemporary art scene. The fourth in a series of self-guided cultural brochures called ‘Heritage Trails’ that have been rolled out over the last twelve months the contemporary art brochure joins the already published;
Riverside Route
Sa Caleta – Ses Païsses De Cala D’Hort
Puig des Molins – Sa Capelleta
The new brochure features two routes which can be downloaded as a PDF from the www.ibiza.travel website comprising routes taking in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Ibiza (MACE) and the ‘Broner and Sert’ route focusing on these two internationally renowned architects.
www.ibiza.travel/img/descargas/42_en_ARTE%20ENG-ALE.pdf
Broner and Sert
The ‘Broner and Sert Route’ comprises buildings of repute created by famous German architect Erwin Broner and Spanish architect Josep LluÍs Sert. These two influential architects both left legacies on the island that show their clear understating of the importance of proportion and scale necessary in constructing on an island like Ibiza where the culture and scenery needed to be respected and the space available was limited. The buildings included in the route include Casa Broner, built in 1960 and donated to the island by Gisela Broner and the residential area known as Can Pep Simó which is seen as a perfect example of blending development with the respect for the landscape to create a true oasis.
Museum of Contemporary Art in Ibiza (MACE)
For those interested in contemporary art MACE is well worth visiting. Its first collection came from the International Art Biennale in Ibiza in 1964 and it the museum consists of two buildings; one built by Simón Poulet in 1727 and the more recent addition created by Victor Beltrán and completed in 2012.
The collection starting point is the 1930’s with much emphasis placed on the Ibiza 59 group. The group was a collective of artists living and working in Ibiza in the late 50’s and 60’s and started by the American artist Robert Munford who moved to the island in 1957. Alongside others including Erwin Bechtold, Erwin Broner, Hans Laabs, Katja Meirowsky, Egon Neubauer and Antonio Ruiz, Munford and the Ibiza 59 created challenging, progressive art that is today recognised as seminal.
In addition MACE also holds an important collection of prints from the Ibizagráfic biennial dating from 1972 and 2008 and Carl van der Voort’s work from the Ibograf Workshop which he donated in 1997.
Quotes Carmen Sanchez, Director Ibiza Tourism Board “We have always welcomed a diverse mix of tourists to Ibiza as we believe we have an Ibiza for everyone. Ibiza is an island of contrasts and we aim to highlight this with our new dedicated brochure focusing on the contemporary arts scene.”
Ibiza Celebrates 15 Years As A UNESCO Site
December 2014 will see Ibiza celebrate 15 years since the UNESCO declaration. Although a small island, the wealth of history and culture that Ibiza possesses is truly remarkable and perfect for exploring throughout the year. Autumn and spring make ideal times to discover the history with temperatures still in the 20’s. With BA flying five times a week from London City airport throughout the year and increasingly more of the hotels and restaurants open the shoulder season is a great time to explore the culture and history and enjoy the mild climate.
Key elements that make up the UNESCO sites:
Dalt Vila
Highlighting the ancient civilisations of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans that have contributed to the capital Dalt Vila being recognised as a UNESCO site the history of the capital comes to life in the city’s impressive archaeological museum. In addition walking along the city’s walls affords wonderful views of the city and the sea but also is the best way of retracing the steps of history. The Upper Town of Ibiza Dalt Vila is an excellent example of a fortified acropolis with imprints of the earliest Phoenician settlements and the Arab and Catalan periods through to the Renaissance bastions on show.
For those keen to explore Dalt Vila in detail there are three Dalt Vila Routes downloadable in brochure format from the Ibiza Tourism Board website www.ibiza.travel
The three routes, Classical Route, bastions Route and Unknown Route take in different elements of the city’s history and culture and can be found at:
www.ibiza.travel/img/descargas/12_en_RUTAS_engl.pdf
Sa Caleta
The Phoenicians began arriving on the island of Ibiza around 650 BC arriving from the Iberian coast and constructed a settlement on the rocky headland at Sa Caleta to the west of Ibiza Town. At its biggest the site covered an area of around four hectares and spread to the small cove on the east side of Sa Caleta which was once a busy natural harbor. Much of the site has now been lost to coastal erosion but the site is still a prime example of a Phoenician town.
The Heritage Trails Sa Caleta – Ses Païsses de Cala d’Hort brochure offers visitors more information on this site whist also offering a guided route taking in some of the wider history of the island.
www.ibiza.travel/img/descargas/38_en_rutes_patrimonials_josep.pdf
The Puig des Molins necropolis
At the site of the necropolis first established around 700BC is the archaeological museum (its counterpart is in Ibiza Town). The museum houses relics from the Phoenicians and Punic period and investigates how the Phoenicians dealt with death and the Punic funeral rites.
The downloadable Heritage Trails brochure taking in the route from Puig des Molins – Sa Capelleta is perfect for those looking to explore the history located right in Ibiza Town whilst also offering scenic views out to sea.
www.ibiza.travel/img/descargas/37_en_rutes_patrimonials.pdf
Posidonia meadows
Another of Ibiza’s unique assets that makes up part of the UNESCO story is the underwater meadows. Endemic to the Mediterranean the sea grass is purported to be thousands or tens of thousands of years old, though some appear to more ancient still. From the beaches of Ses Figueretes and Talamanca it is possible to take kayaking or snorkelling trips to view the grasses.
For further information visit:
www.ibiza.travel/img/descargas/22_en_engl.pdf
www.whc.unesco.org/en/list/417
For more information on Ibiza go to www.ibiza.travel