Ibiza has been one of the most visited and popular tourist destinations of all time. However, not only does it now attract tourists from all over the world, but the island has also attracted many conquerors and traders in the past to it as a magnet. This white island has something magical for everyone. Here we will give you a brief overview of its past to familiarize you with the island, as it is said that "contact with the past guides us into the future".
Having been ruled by numerous empires, the island has a rich and compelling history. Due to its pivotal positioning between Spain and Africa, which acts as a gateway between two continents, Ibiza has become a major centre of attraction as a powerful trade route and port. First discovered by Phoenician settlers in 654 B.C., the island was established as a trading port for goods such as salt, olive oil and wine, which to this day remain valuable commodities. Their decline in power witnessed the island being taken over by Carthage. After the Romans, Ibiza was captured by the Vandals, the Byzantines and then the Moors, who brought Berber settlers and converted a large part of the population to Islam. The Norwegian King Sigurd I became the next to invade Ibiza on a crusade in 1110, which was followed by the Catalans who besieged the island in 1235. The island was entitled to exercise various forms of autonomous rule until King Philip V of Spain enforced severe regulations and language in 1715, after the Battle of the Spanish Succession. In the 18Th and the 19th century, the Catholic Church held most of the powers in the island with little improvement in the quality of lives for the population. Tourism began to turn the tide with the establishment of a regular inland ferry service in the early 1930s. The spread of fascism in Europe resulted in several artists and writers fleeing to Ibiza.
Ibiza has transformed from a tiny corner of the country into a major tourist destination in the 20 years that followed the growth of many large beach resorts in the 1950s. The population almost doubled in the 1960s and 1970s, mainly due to the increase in tourism. In the 1980s and throughout the 21st century, the island gained a reputation for its nightclubs. It was world-renowned as the "Mecca of house music" and the quintessential rural vibe of Ibiza began to transform into a more commercial atmosphere in the south. Ibiza is part of present-day Catalonia, Spain; whose culture largely mirrors this reality. Yet Ibiza's historical isolation and its colonization by several different ethnic groups, including the Moors and Romans, has had a profound influence on its architecture, art and cuisine.
In Villanovo, we are very fond of Ibiza and it is our most cherished destination. Ibiza has everything to offer its travellers. Whether you're looking for adventure, are a party person, a spiritual traveller, an art lover or a foodie, the island has it all. When you're in Ibiza for your next holiday, we offer you our range of stunning villas to provide you with the utmost comfort and luxury. We are committed to bringing you the perfect holiday home in Ibiza.
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