SANTA GERTRUDI´S CHURCH

CHURCH OF SANTA GERTRUDIS DE FRUITERA

As every November 16th Santa Gertrudis at the center of the Island celebrates its festivity, therefore today not only it will be the geographical center of the island but also the place to go for festivity. The image of the major altar of this church (picture above), that though externally it is not the typical white building, the certain thing is that indoors it has the typical style of the Ibicencan churches.

The Holder of this church is Saint Gertrudis Magna, a Holy German writer and Benedictine mysticism that was born in 1256. Many of her writings have disappeared (as her body since it is not known where her tomb is, though it is known that she died near Eisleben in Germany), but there exists an important legacy of her writings all of them written in Latin. During her life she lived in a monastery, where she devoted herself to the prayer and contemplation.

As a good rural from Ibiza church has not lack the "indispensable" details that are habitual in these churches. The Calvary (image of above) that is next to the entry, and the crosses that they indicate in the proximity of the temple and distributed by the whole village where there are located the points of the Vía Crucis. In the image it corresponds to the point XI.

One of the things that one find in these churches are the simplicity and the white walls of lime. This image of below is more evident due the simplicity of a small opened window where it entersa bit of light to illuminate one of the lateral chapels adorned with the sole image of a Saint (in this case mine, Saint Vicente Ferrer) that I believe is the most present of all the Saints in the churches of the island.

SANTA GERTRUDIS DE FRUITERA - THE ISLAND´S CENTER

THE MIDDLE AND CENTER OF THE ISLAND

SANTA GERTRUDIS

Santa Gertrudis is a Village that could create a very special atmosphere between the new things and the real Ibiza. It´s like a own style to do things. Althought Sant Rafel unhabitants says that they are the real center of the island, it is sure that is Santa Gertrudis where we can say that is the center of the island.
The "cool" atmosphere and the quiteness of the streets with a lot of restaurants and bars offering the famous "bocatas" (sandwiches and rolls) are making of this place the real meeting point for the local people and as well for tourists.
Some of the stores in this place has no changed for a long time.

Some of the most famous bars of the village are a real picture gallery and thus they are full of big pictures on their walls that we can enjoy meanwhile eating our rolls.

Some stores are decorated with an Asian atmosphere, casual style.

Art galerys are around in big number, as well as the good restaurants and also the room auctions are very popular in this village.

Althought exists modern houses, there are a big number of old houses with their own details, as for instance the windows.

Gatzara's well is to few distance of Santa Gertrudis, it is said that this one is the real point that marks the real center of the island.