Ibiza Cathedral, Gothic and Baroque cathedral in Dalt Vila, Spain
Ibiza Cathedral is a Gothic church with baroque elements in the walled Old Town of Dalt Vila, sitting on a hilltop that overlooks the bay and the lower city. The building has thick stone walls and a trapezoidal bell tower that makes it easy to spot from a distance.
After Catalan forces led by Guillem de Montgrí took the island in 1235, a first church was built on this hill, most likely on the foundations of an earlier mosque. In the 18th century, the interior was reworked in a baroque style while the Gothic character of the outer walls was largely kept.
The cathedral carries the official name Cathedral of Santa María de las Nieves and serves as the seat of the diocese of Ibiza. Inside, candles, votive offerings and fresh flowers show that this is a place still in active daily use by local worshippers.
The cathedral sits at the top of Dalt Vila and is reached on foot through the cobbled lanes of the old town, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. Entry is free, and visiting outside Sunday services allows for a quieter look around.
Inside the cathedral there is a small museum holding objects found during excavations around the hill, some of which date back to Phoenician and Roman times, long before the church itself was built. This makes the visit cover a much longer span of history than the building alone would suggest.
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