Dalt Vila, Renaissance fortress in Ibiza, Spain.
Dalt Vila is a fortified old town on a hilltop above Ibiza's harbor with seven large bastions and high stone walls. The narrow cobblestone streets run between buildings, and from the top you can see the sea and the entire harbor basin spread below.
The fortifications were built in the 16th century under King Philip II to defend the coast against French and Ottoman attacks. This construction was part of a larger strategy to protect Spanish territories in the Mediterranean.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria sits at the highest point with architectural elements from different periods that you notice while walking around. Today, the mix of religious spaces and daily life creates a sense of how the old town functioned as a complete community.
You can walk through three different routes that guide you along the narrow streets leading to museums, restaurants, and art galleries. The climb is steep and the paths are narrow, so take your time and wear sturdy shoes.
The main gateway Portal de ses Taules still features the remains of a Renaissance drawbridge and tunnels leading to an old courtyard with Roman statues. These archaeological finds show the area was inhabited long before the 16th-century fortifications were built.
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