The Carthaginians were merchants and they used iBiza as a trading hub. It had a large harbor and they built strong city walls. The mainly traded salt made in salt pans in Salinas. You can still see them today and the process of making salt by evaporation largely remains unchanged.



The Carthaginians also used iBiza to bury there dead. It's thought they chose the island as there were no wild animals to dig up the corpses.

The Romans came next they conquered iBiza in 123 BC. They built a bridge over the river in Santa Eulalia which you can still see today - although the river is long gone.

Between the 5th and the 9th Century the iBiza was invaded by the Vandals, the Barbarians and the Byzantines.

Then it was the turn of the Arabs who stayed for 500 years around the 9th Century AD. You can see there influence in the architecture, traditional costumes and the local dialect Ibicenco.

The Catalans conquered the island on the 8th of August 1235. They tore down the mosque and built a Cathedral. The islanders were forced to convert to Christianity and the church building began. Most of our island churches were built around the 18th Century.

iBiza has had more than its fair share of invaders and the invasions continue in the form of stag and hen parties in San Antonio every weekend during the summer months. I think I'd prefer the Vandals.