AUGUST 5TH SAINT PATRON OF IBIZA AND FORMENTERA

FESTIVITIES OF IBIZA TOWN 

PROCESSION OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS

For the second consecutive year is celebrated in Ibiza the procession of its patron saint, Our Lady of the Snows. The tour begins in the new area of the city, specifically from the parish of Santa Cruz, to the Cathedral located at the top of the hill where is located the ancient city of Ibiza today is "World Heritage" since 1999.

Some parishes involved carrying banners of their parish to accompany the patron saint of Ibiza and Formentera through the streets of the city. The best is when passing through a part of the impressive walls of the city of Ibiza.

The entrance to one of the most beautiful places in Ibiza (Portal de ses Taules) is somewhat complicated and you have to lower the image .... 

To get to the courtyard of arms, which is a place inside the walls of Ibiza where a few decades ago was located the first hippy market of Ibiza. 

Surprisingly, the patron saint of Ibiza is the Marian advocation of "Snow", snow is a rare event in the island ... but the choice of the patron has a rather historical explanation. 

In 1235, an August 8th, was conquered Ibiza by troops of the Crown of Aragon for the King of Aragon James I the Conqueror, (pictured above the shield of the King of Aragon can be seen embedded on the wall, behind the image of the Virgin), then once conquered the island to the Arabs, it was established that was to be built a church dedicated to St. Mary, however, it was established that the Marian devotion would be chosen by the closest Marian festivity of August 8, the day which the island was conquered. So, Santa Maria de las Nieves (also known as Santa Maria Maggiore) was choosen as Patron of Ibiza, and the new church was dedicated to her, as his feast day is celebrated on August 5th. 

The image continues its way towards the cathedral, passing through the famous city walls, and the most emblematic places of the town, while passing by the famous "Plaza de Vila" folks will mixing with tourists who are surprised with the fest. 

At this point the procession must face the most hard part because now comes the steepest slopes that reach the cathedral. Gradually the lights dim smoothly and the streets will be more narrows as we climb.

CATHEDRAL´s MUSEUM

MUSEUM OF THE CATEDRAL

This museum is very unknown, even to the people who visit the cathedral and it is not expensive. It worth to pay a visit , and we will surprise for the collection of valuable paintings that we can see here, some of them are made by anonymous authors. Also there is a valuable collection of authentic jewels, as custodies and Ibicencan jewelry. All in a unique setting as it is located in the old chapter of the cathedral and its old sacristy. In the picture above we can see the painting of the Pope San Gregorio Magno that is part of a larger altarpiece and is of anonymous author of the sixteenth century.

This museum is open to the public since 1965 when it opened, but has a major refurbishment of 2006. Among his paintings there is this one, from the eighteenth century (the first image of this post on the title) depicting the Annunciation and it is anonymous. Above these lines we see the picture called "Holy Generation" by Mateo Lopez, on the sixteenth century

 

Santa Tecla was a Saint with many followers in the former Ibiza, and this is why it is dedicated to her, the most important bastion of the walls of Ibiza, the Saint Tecla´s bastion. Here it is also a picture dedicated to her, that belongs to 1399 and painted on a board and gold by Francesc Comes

 

One of the most important works of this museum are the two tables that not long ago were in a side chapel of the cathedral, which were recently moved to the museum. They are both works by Valenti Montoliu and were made in Morella (Castellón) although the exact date is not known but would be made around 1450, both, on tempera and gold on wood.

The old sacristy and the chapter hall, are the spaces that have created this museum. They both have all kinds of religious paintings and art and different liturgical objects.

A wooden sculpture depicting Ntra. Sra. Del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary) is one of the most important works of this museum. Also on display until recently in the same cathedral, was moved to the museum because of its great artistic value. Its author is anonymous and is believed to carving was made somewhat later of the 1500 A. D.

But the great jewel of this cathedral is this custody in tower shape, made of gold-plated silver with enamel, with 82 centimeters high, the value of this custody is that is the oldest in Spain, dating back to the fourteenth century and was made by Francesc Marti in 1399.

HOLY WEEK IN IBIZA

CELEBRATIONS OF THE HOLY WEEK IN OLD TOWN (DALT VILA)

In processions and celebrations the Holy Week of Ibiza is not really popular if we compare with those of Sevilla or Zamora, Valladolid, Murcia or Cuenca, where they are really known. The Holy Week processions in Ibiza are much simpler and not so famous, but have not been few people from many different countries who have told me that they were pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this celebration in such a unique setting as the walled city of Dalt Vila, the ancient old town of Ibiza.

The narrow, winding streets help in this quiet and devotional celebration, and  makes it even more impressive the Good Friday procession in the late evening. Larger images barely fit through some of the narrow streets, so, in these streets, the procession proceeds much slower than in the downtown, newer area, where subsequently the streets become wider. Sometimes in some places the number of public is limited because there is very little place indeed.

In some parts of the procession, we can enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the ancient city walls. the bible story mix with the history of this city. These ancient walls once defended the walled area of the ancient city that were heavily protected from pirates attacks, and other threats. Perfect backdrop then, for the Good Friday traditional procession that is further enhanced by the beauty of these walls.

During the Holy Week that starts the previous friday  the Good Friday, the streets are the scene of various processions to be held for several specific days,  but the most important is the one which is held on Good Friday evening. The city illuminates their walls to the passage of the different images, ranging through the streets of the city. As I said before, is not the most popular procession of Spain, but may be the one with the most spectacular setting, with its city walls that are among the best preserved in the Mediterranean, and that in 1999 the UNESCO declared World Heritage Site.

BACKSIDE OF DALT VILA

BACKSIDE OF DALT VILA  (ES SOTO)

Dalt Vila is one of the most interesting and beautiful sites of the island and the most important. Heritage Site since 1999, is one of the most photographed places in the Balearics. Currently under restoration, the Ibiza Castle, we will gradually discover the results of a restoration, that although is not finished yet, have no liked in general at most of locals, due the wall colors. The historic building which is the former castle will be the future Parador Tourism. Anyway stroll through the area around the walls (the Renaissance walls) is a delight, especially when these great historic walls, can cover the new garish colours of the castle.

Another reason to visit this area are the views of the port of Ibiza, they were years ago a real visual treat to see the island with the Botafoch lighthouse. Nowadays the views are also nice but also can be seen the progress surrounded by concrete at the new harbor. Gradually the island gets to know the wild side of progress. In any case, the views are still quite nice and the close sea with its blue-green color gives the color note to the landscape. On one side of the stone walls on the other sea port Vila (Vila, is how the locals call to the city of Ibiza).

Reforming what (I suppose, if no other changes) will be the future parador (in a place where there is no lack precisely of tourist beds) is appearing before our eyes. A reform that may have raised controversy when was builded a floor over, and the height of the old castle, surpass the cathedral tower. Another of the "innovations" that have not liked by many "Ibicencos". In any case it is still a special place that should not be missed when visiting the island. This area seems to be that from now delight us with their varied new colors.

PLAÇA DE VILA

VILA´S SQUARE AT LATE AFTERNOON

Located within the walls, once passed the Portal de ses Taules and the main square, we get to what was the undisputed center point in the walled city now known as Dalt Vila and in 1999 was declared by UNESCO "World Heritage Site".

Sunset is a good time to get to the Plaza de Vila, where the hues of the walls take on a strange ocher color and contrasts of sun and shade are obvious.
In this gate called Portal de ses taules starts the "Dalt Vila" area and from here one can take several alleys that lead us to different areas of the upper area of Ibiza old town.

When sunlight goes down, the restaurants in this historic area, are decorated and in a few hours you will be able to dining by candlelight. With calm, the place will fill up with people from so many different countries as culinary offers exists in this area.

Despite the many restaurants in this area should be better to book a table in some of them, since there is large demand. Besides the restaurants are also plenty of trendy shops, art galleries and antiques. A place with character that could be defined as the "center" of Dalt Vila.

FESTES DE LA TERRA - CATEDRAL DE IBIZA

IBIZA´S CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral of Ibiza is under the advocation of Our Lady of Snows (which is difficult to understad due the few times that snows in the Island) but we can find an explanation with the history. the August 8th of 1235 the troops of Guillem de Montgrí, arrived to Ibiza with an expedition of behalf Jaime I the Conqueror. With them they brought a new religion to this Island, the Cristianity. They want to have the Virgin as the Patroness of Ibiza, but they had to find the nearest advocation by the calendar so that was the 5th of august with Our Lady of Snows.

The Cathedral is located at the very top of the dalt vila´s hill. From there we can enjoy a awesome view of the city and a part of the Island.

At the beggining the Cathedral was built in gothic style, but after many reforms the style is a bit difficult to say. Anyway and still today we can see some details of the old gothic as the one in the picture below.
Inside the temple we can see white walls as near all churches in Ibiza.
In the picture below we can see an image of Saint Ciriaco, which it doen´t exist to much devotion. He is in fact the Saint Patron of Ibiza. The festivity of this Saint coincides with the big fiesta day of the "Festes de la terra" which is the 8th of August. This is really the historical day of the Reconquest of the Island by the Aragon kingdom. Every August 8th a Te Deum is celebrating in to the Cathedral.

DALT VILA - IBIZA´S OLD TOWN

DALT VILA

In few days Ibiza will celebrate de date of Our Lady of Snows, Saint Patroness of Ibiza and Formentera august 5th and Saint Ciriaco august 8th. These celebrations are known as "Festes de sa Terra" (land´s celebrations).

The ones who will go to this celebration may walk throughout the narrow and old streets of Dalt Vila. This nice old Town City surrounded by the most well conservated walls of the Mediterranean after (of course) Malta.

The "Portal de Ses Taules" (Top Picture) is the main entrance door to the city walls, and the way to get the nice "patio de armas" and Dalt Vila. This entrance is just a revival of the old years.

In Dalt Vila streets, the most of the narrow streets are linked by steps, also narrows and very pictoric ones. One has the sense to be lost.

Ibiza´s Castle at the top, from where are I can remember never has been finished. It´s seem that this time they´re getting seriously and in few years we will be able to see it finish.

The other entrance to "Dalt Vila" is known as "Portal Nou" (new door), it´s not so spectacular as the "Portal de ses taules" but throughout a tunnel where we must to walk we will be able to be "in" the walls and see how thick these walls are. We will arrive to a big group of steps and from there we can go on to the very top surrounded for a nice group of white houses.

LLUNA PLENA

LLUNA PLENA

Lluna plena, is the local name for the full moon. In the morning the full moon gave me this nice images of the old town of Ibiza with the satelite. It was great that I had the camera with me, so now I am able to share this pictures with you. The building in first term, is the Church of Santo Domingo, and the Town Hall of the city of Ibiza.