A Rich Tradition and Cultural Heritage of Ibiza - Essay Example

1. 2. 3. 4. Ibiza – Spain Introduction Ibiza, is one among the fifty Balearic Islands and has a rich historical tapestry that has been woven together, over the years. The islands which are mostly uninhabited are also known as the Pityûssai, meaning ‘pine covered’ islands. Ibiza, is the biggest of all the islands and its history dates back to the first settlers who inhabited the land. These first settlers were the Phoenicians who arrived in Sa Caleta in 654 B.C Their chief source of income came from the production of salt which they referred to as ‘white gold’, fish sauce and dye and exporting them to other countries. However, they left Sa Caleta in the year 600 B.C and established the town of Ibiza. Historical Background The Carthaginians emerged soon after the Phoenicians declined, and they took control of Ibiza. They erected a shrine for Tanit, the Goddess of fertility, in a cave located at Es Culleram and those living in Ibiza claim that the shrine has feminine energy. This shrine still stands there today and people visit the cave to pay homage to the Goddess. Name 2 Another very important finding was the Puig des Molins, a huge cemetery belonging to the Phoenician-Punic culture which houses about 3.000 Punic tombs in an area that measure approximately 50,000 sq. meters. During the II Punic War, the Romans fought against the Carthaginians and succeeded in taking Ibiza and named it Ebusus. The Romans built a strong bridge in Santa Eulalia that stands there even today. Following the Romans were the Arabs, the Catalans, the Ibicencos and later the Hippies who came around the 1950’s and brought with them a rich and free spirited culture. They were liberal thinkers and hence musicians, writers and artists flourished in Ibiza, thereby making it a tourism hot-spot. Today, Ibiza shines in all its glory as the global party capital, attracting people from different cultures and from different countries of the world. Tourist Attractions Ibiza is presently a fantastic tourist center where scores of tourists throng each year. It is literally a paradise on Earth, to say the least, what with its sun kissed sand and clear blue Mediterranean beaches, a haven of enjoyment for any traveler. The 200 km extraordinary stretch of coastline is a popular place for deep- sea diving and skiing. They also attract tourists with professional courses on diving being given by many firms. Visitors are also given tours of the sea beds which are not only breathtaking but have great ecological value, especially the National Park of Las Salinas with the Posidonia Name 3 Prairies. In 1999, UNESCO had declared the National Park as a World Heritage Site. The ideal weather and well equipped facilities make this an ideal place for sailing during any part of the year. Apart from these activities, sport such as cycling, golf, trekking, equestrian and fishing are few of the other attractions that can be enjoyed in Ibiza. The nightlife in Ibiza is one of the very best with its clubs, audio-visual spectacles and night- life discos. For tourists with little kids, there are a variety of activities to choose from like the Aquarium, Aquamar, little trains and Go-karts, museums and art galleries. Cultural and Religious Heritage Rich in its cultural heritage and religious beliefs, Ibiza is home to a myriad of chapels that belong to the Renaissance period. Since it has a history of passing through many hands, Ibiza, is an amalgamation of cultural and religious beliefs. Some of the main attractions of the city are the NecropolosPunica del Puig des Molins, the Castle, the Archaeology Museum, the Modern Art Museum, the Curia’s house and the Santo Domingo’s church. Another place of great heritage is the SantJosep de saTalaia. The beautiful churches of Sant Francesc de s’Estany and Sant Jordi, sesPortes and des Carregador towers and the Phoenician town of Sa Caleta which has also been chosen as a World Heritage Site are some places that the tourist with a cultural and religious viewpoint might like to view. The d’enValls tower and church that is built around the Poud’esLleo along with the extreme beauty of the Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera is among the top attractions to visit in Ibiza. Name 4 Music The Balearic Island Ibiza, is not only known for its dreamy beaches and extraordinary tourist attraction places, but also for its ancient musical background. The Hippies had explored Ibiza in the 60’s bringing with them their style of music that was never heard before in Spain. Since then, the style of music had been evolving rapidly and resulted in the Pacha Ibiza, the first official club on the island which was formed. Music and dance aficionados started flooding the place and later on many such clubs had been established all across Ibiza. Evolution of the islands music escalated during the 90’s when electronic dance music like trance, house and techno initiated their entry into the dance clubs. DJs had incorporated these various styles along with their local flavor of Spanish music and thus was evolved a genre called the Balearic Beat. Since that time, there was no looking back for this island, as presently, Ibiza is hot on the map for live concerts, hosting artistes like ‘The Arctic Monkeys’ and ‘Kasabian’ to name a few. Though Ibiza is small in size, it is at par with the big metropolises like New York, London and Los Angeles for musical experimentation and evolution of styles. Art and Culture Ibiza had been the home of myriad civilizations and has culminated into a mosaic of different cultures, beginning with the Phoenicians, Romans, the Moors, Hippies and right to the present occupants the Catalans and therefore, it is no wonder that it has one of the richest cultures across the globe. In fact, it is believed that Ibiza has a higher number Name 5 of artists per capita, than in any other part of the world. However, the civilizations gone by have left their stamp on the Balearic map and currently Ibiza proudly displays its own identity where art and culture is concerned. This rich culture is seen reflected in the wide variety of art galleries that are commonly seen all over the island. The Archaeology Museum situated in Dalt Vila, houses ancient artifacts such as sculptures, terracotta and ceramic works of art, in addition to artistic amulets and decorated ostrich eggs kept on display and which reflects the ancient cultures that had passed on their legacy of art and culture to the present day Catalans. The Ibiza Museum of Contemporary Art is a pioneer and one of its kind and is also located in Dalt Vila. This 17th century structure has an outstanding collection of artistic expression and creativity from great artists such as Tàpies and Miralles, to name a few. Even local contemporary artists make their contribution on a regular basis through many art exhibitions that are conducted here from time to time, and tourists bitten by the creative bug never fail to visit this beautiful place and revel in its glory. Cuisine There are just a few places in the entire world where you could eat with your bare feet resting on the sand while basking in the shade of a Renaissance wall or sitting in a romantic hideaway farmhouse set in the countryside. The Hedonistic form of tourism Name 6 would not be complete without Ibiza’s gastronomical delights on its priority list. For those tourists who like to go the organic way, fresh and natural products are the order of the day in Ibiza. Traditional homes in Ibiza have vegetables, fruits and livestock that grow in their own backyard and this traditional custom is followed even to this today, because food is a major fondness with people of Ibiza. Being an island, it would be certain to say that varieties of freshly caught fish and shellfish are eaten and relished with mouth- watering garnishes. The island boasts of a forest filled with rovellons (wild fungi), asparagus and many such surprising delicate food delights. Ibiza’s gastronomical treasures are now a safely guarded tradition that is promoted via recipe books through the Government of Ibiza. Food being a major hobby with the people of Ibiza, it is now looking to be a very monetarily lucrative form of earning money by the local islanders as well, because of the family managed manufacturing and sale of products like the extra virgin olive oils, red and white wines, sausages, cheeses, herb liquor, honey and jams etc. to name a few. Conclusion Ibiza has imbibed a rich tradition of cultural heritage because of the many civilizations it has seen. It is considered to be a haven on Earth by many who have visited and marveled at its beauty and rich culture. It can be said that it is one of the beauty spots that should never be missed out because it has so much more to offer than meets the eye. References History of Ibiza – Ibiza Inside. Web. Retrieved on 2 May 2014 www.ibizainside.com/inside-ibiza/history-of-ibiza/history-of-ibiza.html Official Ibiza tourist information website – Welcome to Ibiza…Web. Retrieved on 1st May 2014. http://www.ibiza.travel/en/visitas.php Ibiza Dance Music – A History of Dance Music in Ibiza. Web. Retrieved on 2nd May 2014. http://ezinearticles.com/?Ibiza-Dance-Music---A-History-of-Dance-Music-in-Ibiza&id=2628208 Read More