The cathedral that crowns the citadel of Ibiza
Every possible stroll through Dalt Vila ends at the Cathedral, whose Gothic bell tower rising from the summit of Ibiza’s acropolis gives the city its distinctive skyline. Situated next to the Santa Tecla bastion, this solid and austere cathedral traces its origins to the Catalan conquest of the city in 1235, following which work began on a church dedicated to Santa María la Mayor, built on the site of an earlier structure.
Completed in the 14th century in the Catalan Gothic style, it retains from this period not only the tower but also the sacristy and the apse chapels. The rest of the cathedral reflects the successive renovations carried out to the interior throughout the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. An interesting fact: Ibiza Cathedral houses a set of bells from the 16th and 17th centuries considered to be among the most significant of their kind.
For further information on this site and to admire other outstanding works of religious art, such as an exceptional Gothic monstrance made of gilded silver, we recommend you visit the Diocesan Museum, which is located within the cathedral grounds. And at the end of your visit to the island’s main cathedral, enjoy a beautiful view over the city, the harbour and the hills rising up opposite Ibiza.
A tip? Continue your visit along the Ronda Calví and explore the converted bastions of Sant Jaume and Sant Pere.
