Church of San Jorge

A church built to defend against the Berbers

This church, now surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Sant Jordi, is one of the oldest fortified churches on the island, as it was first documented in 1577. Its sloping walls and crenellated top, the only one of its kind in Ibiza, are a testament to how the farmers of the Ses Salines plain needed to defend themselves against raids by the Berbers, who came to the island in search of salt, provisions and slaves.

The Church of San Jorge as it stands today is the result of successive renovations, the most significant of which took place in the 19th century. It consists of a single nave with a vault supported by three pointed arches, four side chapels – one of which is covered by a dome with a lantern – and an external porch. Among the artistic treasures to be admired inside, the baptismal font (1732), carved by the Mallorcan sculptor Joan Coll, stands out.

A tip? Combine this visit with the Sant Jordi second-hand market, which takes place every Saturday morning.