A peaceful, central setting ideal for exploring the island. The hotel is the ideal place to enjoy the best of the island. Its location, on Santa Eulalia’s peaceful promenade and the natural surroundings make Aguas de Ibiza a charming hotel from which to explore the beautiful beaches the island has to offer.
Sa Caleta: Phoenician legacy and World Heritage Site in Ibiza
In the heart of Ibiza’s south coast, between Es Codolar beach and Puig des Jondal, lies the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta, an archaeological site that marked the beginning of the island’s urban history. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, this site is much more than ancient ruins: it is a living testament to a civilization that transformed Ibiza into a strategic point in the Mediterranean.
A Natural Harbor with a Commercial Vision
The Phoenicians, master navigators and traders, chose this small peninsula for its excellent natural harbor, sheltered from south and west winds. From here, they established trade routes connecting Ibiza with the Western Mediterranean, making the island a key hub for the exchange of metals, pottery, textiles, and salt.
Archaic Urban Planning and Daily Life
The settlement was divided into neighborhoods such as the port, the central, and the southern—the latter being the best preserved and open to visitors today. The dwellings were modest, with one or two rooms, and were arranged around narrow alleyways and irregular plazas, reflecting a spontaneous yet functional urban layout. Communal ovens, stone mills, fishing implements, and metallurgical remains have been found, revealing an active and self-sufficient community.
The Art of Metallurgy
One of the most significant discoveries is the presence of argentiferous galena, a mineral that the Phoenicians smelted to obtain lead and silver. They also practiced iron metallurgy, using specialized furnaces and advanced techniques for the time. This economic activity was key to the development of the settlement and its relationship with other cultures along the Iberian Peninsula’s coast.
A Legacy That Transcends Time
The abandonment of Sa Caleta around 600 BC did not signify the end, but rather the beginning of a new era: the Phoenicians moved to the Bay of Ibiza, where they founded the city of Eivissa. Sa Caleta, however, remains the oldest urban center on the island, and its historical and cultural value is still immeasurable.