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 Ibiza, one of Spain's Balearic Islands, is famed more for its wild parties than for its wildlife. But there is another side to this Mediterranean gem. In the north of the island of Ibiza there lies the municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja. A few kilometers away from the bright lights and the frantic disco scenes of other parts of the island, Sant Joan is a natural paradise with its breathtaking scenery and much slower pace of life. |
| Despite Franco's tyrannical right-wing reign, Ibiza became a haven during the 1960s for artists, hippies and nudists alike. The hippie culture of Ibiza is still very much in evidence, none more so than in the north of the island, and in particular the borough of Sant Joan, which has long been renowned for championing the greener face of Ibiza- the beauty and energy of the borough as beautiful now as it has been for centuries. In the present day, Sant Joan houses the least number of inhabitants of the island boroughs, some 5,500 residents spread across its 121km and its four parishes; a melting pot of born-and-bred Ibicenco families and international settlers from around the globe. |
| It is a landscape of stunning mountainous scenery, wonderfully under-populated beaches, turquoise waters, secret coves and hidden caves-- all reasons why the hippies came in the first place. Winding country roads and paths through endless poppy fields, almond blossoms and passing traditional Ibicenco architecture from centuries past all seem a world away from the standard notion we are fed of Ibiza as the Mecca of dance music and as the 'Spring break' destination for much of Northern Europe's youth. This is the greener face of Ibiza, set in the most mountainous region of the Pitiusas archipelago, Es Amunt; a hilly area more than 100 meters above sea level with steep cliffs and secluded beaches to one side and mountains up to 400 meters high on the other, a place between peace and beauty to be enjoyed twelve months of the year. |
| Jewel in the Ibiza Crown: As the compass points north, so one finds Sant Joan de Labritja--the softer, more natural face of the island. Surrounded by beauty, peace and harmony, a coastline with crystal blue waters, white sands and a blue-sky backdrop, where time drifts by to the sounds of nature. A living, breathing nature reserve filled with history and culture, Sant Joan is a glimmering green jewel in the Mediterranean crown that is Ibiza. |
Beaches and Lush Coastlines: With 210 kilometers of coastline, there are scores of beaches to be enjoyed. The beaches in the Sant Joan borough include Cala de San Vicente, Portixol, Es Pas de s'Illa des Bosc, Cala des Moltons, Benirràs, s'Arenal Gran, Cala d'en Serra, Port de Portinatx, Port de Sant Miquel, s'Arenal Petit, Cala Xarraca, Cala Xuclar, s'Illot d'es Renclí and Port des Ses Caletes . The beach of Cala San Vicente is located near the Cueva des Cuieram and 10km from the town of Sant Joan de Labritja. It boasts 365m of fine, white sands. Benirràs or Cala de Benirràs is located 7,5km from the town of Sant Miquel and is a fine sandy beach with a length of 145m and a width of 45m. Surrounded by mountains covered with pines, the crystalline waters make for perfect diving conditions, a chance to enjoy the myriad of spectacular marine life hidden in Ibiza's waters. |
The Almond Blossoms: A literal adios to the winter, the en masse blossom fest that covers the fields and meadows of San Joan is a gorgeous sight to behold in early spring. The almond is the most Mediterranean of fruits, first cultivated by the Greeks and native to an area stretching from the India westwards to Syria, Isarel, Turkey and North Africa. Eventually, it found its way to southern Spain where the seeds of the fruit, the almond is used for all manner of confections, most notably marzipan, often molded into fanciful fruits and edible figurines. In fact, for Spanish kings of old it was known as Postre Regio, the Royal Dessert. |
Cueva des Cuieram: Located in the heart of the forestland that flanks the Sant Vicent Cove, Cueva des Cuieram is a sanctuary to the Punic times; a natural grotto that was discovered in 1907 by a group of amateur archaeologists alerted to the find by campesinos, local farmers who had found ceramic figurines, coins and bones that appeared quite ancient. The archaeologists indeed found the caves to contain relics and figures of Tanit, the patron goddess of ancient Carthage. (Note: current reports of June 1, 2009 indicate that the cave may be closed to the public until it is shored up to prevent the danger of collapse.) This proved to be one of the most important finds of Punic art from the second to third centuries B.C. as so much of the Punic culture in the Mediterranean was destroyed as a result of the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage. It is interesting to note that, after the Roman conquest, the islanders made a treaty with the new occupiers, preserving the finest Punic/Phoenician archaeological remains found in the 20th century. |
Cueva de Can Marça: In use for hundreds of years as a smugglers' hideaway, the entrance to Can Marça Cave is reached at 14 meters above sea level by a narrow path clinging to the face of the cliff. Faded red and black signs still mark its interior walls indicating emergency escape routes. These days, visitors may explore the extraordinary rock formations inside the grotto by joining half-hour tours of this 100,000-year-old cave conducted throughout the day and highlighted by Sound and Light performances. From the cave's entrance, there is a picture postcard view of la Bahía del Puerto de Sant Miquel, the bay of San Miguel. |
Walking & Cycling Routes to Be Explored: Mountain paths on one side, spectacular coastline on the other, Sant Joan houses a colorful network of country paths and routes routes exist that can be explored on foot as much as by bicycle, giving the visitor the chance to enjoy the landscapes and nature of the North zone of the island of Ibiza. |
Agrotourism in Abundance: Not surprisingly in an area of such natural beauty and tranquility, the borough of Sant Joan has more rural hotels than other parts of the island of Ibiza. In recent years the trend for these agroturismos has grown enormously, with many visitors choosing the country over the city. A typical rural hotel in Ibiza is often housed in an original finca or farmhouse often dating back several hundred years. To this end, they are set in deep countryside and amidst astounding scenery. Each rural hotel has its own unique qualities, modern yet quaint, luxurious yet simple and always with swimming pools and spa facilities for guests. The Agroturismo sector in Ibiza is constantly gaining popularity amongst the A-List and the upper end of the tourist market who visit the island, due in parts to both the escapist nature and the very tranquility offered within the grounds of any particular rural hotel. Relaxation assured amongst the hills and valleys, with hidden treasures including Sa Vinya den Parlem, Can Gall, Can Martí, Atzaró, Can Fuster, Cassa Naya, Ca n'Escandell, ca sa Vilda Marge, Can Planells, Villa Can Maries and Cas Pla. |
| With a pre-history that may go back as far as 2,000 years B.C. and colonized by the Phoenicians in the seventh century B.C., Ibiza was re-discovered by vacationers in the 1960s for its splendid beaches--especially by young Europeans eager to escape cold northern climes. Today, it is an international summer place where anyone can sample the wild beach scene in the south of the island and then escape to the serene and scenic Sant Joan de Labritja at the northern end of Ibiza where an upscale and more subdued hippie culture still resides. |
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For More Information: www.fixibiza.com |
SANT JOAN, IBIZA
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© 2009 ROMAR TRAVEL GUIDES
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