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Santa Eulalia del Rio
The municipality of Santa Eulalia del Rio is located on the east portion of the island. It is named after one of the island s rivers that has long since ran dry. In contrast to San Antoni , Santa Eularia is best know for its encompassing peace as it is located far from the bars and night clubs. Even then, the municipality has an endless array of attractions including, almond -dotted fields, beaches, abundant artistic heritage as well as museums (such as The Ethnological Museum of Piti , and the Museum of Barrau ).
Of course a visit to Ibiza would not be complete without seeing the sights at Dalt Vila (or high town ). The best way to explore Dalt Vila would be on foot, in comfortable shoes, trekking through the narrowly winding steep cobbled streets and viewing the stunning vista from the spaces in the high ramparts and wide terraces at every level. The main entrance is along a slope, flanked by huge statues made out of roman stone and crossing a drawbridge throught the Portal de Tablas . Going into the ancient courtyard of cobbled stones, the view immediately gives way to the Plaza de Vila or main square. The Portal Nou entrance on the other hand, descends more gradually. Here, traditionally clad Ibicencos, seemingly left behind by time, go about their daily lives in the ancient, Gothic Catalan buildings that over hang the streets. Strong wooden doors standing ajar reveal wide stone courtyards and small chapels. The gift shops as well as art galleries situated on the walk up to the cathedral are treasure troves of the beautiful workmanship of the talented local craftsmen.
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If one looks down from the battlements by the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows dominating the Ibiza town skyline, one can see wonderful panoramic views of the red tiled cupolas of the Santo Domingo church . From this vantage point, one can also spot the statue of the Ibicenco hero of the Cuban War, General Joaquin Vara de Rey , standing proudly on his monument right at the very center of the Main Square bearing its name. In Ibiza , one can find one of the world s most impressive museum collections of Roman artifacts. A lot of the artifacts on display can be found exclusively on the island. The museum Museo Puig des Molins set in the Carthaginian burial grounds is a must see. On July 2002, a room full of armaments, pottery and other objects used in the Ibicencan everyday way of life from Phoenician times right up to the 13 th century was discovered in an exit to the outside of the old castle in Ibiza town. It is an old Ibicencan custom to build rooms to be used as a way for the townsfolk to retreat into the castle in times of attack. To stop the attackers from following them inside, the Ibicencans would fill the room with earth to securely block the entrance from the outside. It is thought that the room that was discovered, which connected two of the castle towers during the Arab occupation of the island, remained buried full of earth when the castle was overrun by invading knights from mainland Spain . Because of this, all the objects found in the room are in good condition and today gives archaeologists valuable insight into the ancient way of life in Ibiza .
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