CHURCH OF SANT FRANCESC

CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO DE PAULA

Located within the "salinas" of Ibiza, this small parish is dedicated to St. Francis of Paula, and known as Church of Sant Francesc de s'Estany or Ses Salines. Its charm lies, not only in being in one of the most spectacular places on the island, but the simplicity of the small temple. The new altar was inaugurated this year, thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of his pastor priest, that he performed it from old photographs that exist of the former ancient altarpiece. This new altar piece added some allegorical paintings on the life of St. Francis of Paula who is dedicated this parish church.

As architectural complay the fees of the Ibiza churches, should be white and simple but also it has the "honor" of being the smallest church on the island. Everything in here is small. Even paradoxically has his choir on the top floor, which are not all the churches of the island even being much bigger that have it.

Sometimes some details are small surprises, such as the font of holy water (pictured above) which is located right next to the narrow staircase that leads to the choir. when we look at the ceiling we will see the amount of wood beams on the rustic way of typical houses (at the countryside) of the island. This church was built in the early eighteenth century. Although it is believed that was built on a previously existing chapel on the fifteenth century to meet the religious needs of the salt men who work at the near salt mines, then became a church in the year 1785.

The people of this area are very proud of their small but beautiful church, most of the religious images have been donated by some of them, and inside there are enough images that have nothing to envy in size and in numbers to the other larger churches . One of the surprising things in this temple is a shield of Castile in its facade, the reason for that, is that after the Civil War the salt mines passed to belong to the crown rights due the conquest, and the crown was responsible for the religious purposes of this place, where lived of salt workers and residents of the neighboring orchards.

SA PLATJA DES RACÒ DE SES DONES (THE WOMEN CORNER´S BEACH)

SA COVA DE SES DONES OR "THE WOMEN CAVE"

Concealed and hidden, discreet and charming, and totally urban beach, but surrounded by nature. A small little beach hidden in Puig des Molins. It´s not a sandy beach, but rather in the form of small gravel pebbles.

The name of the beach is surprising, since called Reco de ses dones, (corner of women), Why?, well it seems in old times, Women and Men were swimming separately, and this was the beach just for Ladys. It´s also known under the name of "salt of s'ase" (donkey´s jump), I'm ignoring why.

When we approach the coastal road that borders the Puig des Molins, the views are fantastic, and the green "ses pitreres" a Mediterranean cactus which there are numerous examples in the area and all over Ibiza , mixed green color with the blue sea and the ocher color of the rock.

In the background we have the long and famous "Playa den Bossa", much more built and more crowded than this one. By the way I take the picture above (on the bottom also appear) to take the chance to talk about these cactus (pitreres), just before it died grows from within a large branch that seems goes towards heaven. On this trunk is where in old times the ibicencs obtained the "Pitra" with which they were formerly wore shoes for the inhabitants of the island. They are beautiful plants, and also had their uses.

The access to the beach, we can not say that is easy at all, not too dificult neither. Once we are on the beach, the few people who we can find on it sunbathing or in shade (as here we find both), find a relaxed atmosphere, and a natural environment as a cave, so it is also known as "Cova de ses dones" (women´s cave). Different names for this small but peaceful place, protected by the small islet infront, that protects the beach.