Hydraulic heritage: Guardians of the island’s most precious resource
You may not notice them at first glance, but the heartland of Ibiza is dotted with wells and springs. Simple and humble in appearance, they are a key element in Santa Eulària’s outstanding hydraulic heritage, which also includes the remains of a 1st-century CE Roman aqueduct. Take note of them: they remind us that the most valuable treasure of any island is its fresh water.
The permeability of Ibiza’s terrain favours the existence of underground bodies of fresh water, which since ancient times have supplied this important resource to fields, farms and people. This hydric wealth, which on occasion arises in the form of streams, is mostly visible in the numerous wells, springs, irrigation channels and safareig (reservoirs) scattered across the island, both in its interior and on the coast.
The majority of wells are found next to traditional farmhouses, but those which were designated for communal use, as well as springs, generally sit alongside the old roads that connected the different demographic clusters. It was here that the traditional ballades de pou were – and still are – celebrated, festive gatherings which brought neighbours together after the harvest (or some other important occasion) for dancing and singing.
A well in the centre of Ibiza
In the outskirts of the village of Santa Gertrudis, at the geographic centre of the island, stands Pou de Gatzara, a simple structure (de factura sencilla) thought to date back to the 17th century. In the olden days, it was the site of a dance that was celebrated every year on 25th July in honour of Saint James. Today, you can join in as islanders celebrate their roots on the first Sunday in October, when the dance group Balls Tradicionals de Santa Gertrudis offers a performance of local dance and music.
The springs of Santa Eulària
One of the municipality’s most outstanding hydraulic structures is the Font de Peralta, located at the outskirts of the village of Sant Carles. Here, every 29th June, country dancing (known as ball pagès) is performed to celebrate the festivity of Saint Peter. The spring at Peralta dates back to at least the early 17th century, when it was mentioned in a document chronicling a battle waged against Turkish pirates on 20th September 1620. This recently restored complex includes the spring itself, an irrigation channel, and a safareig, or reservoir – which still conserves the stones used to wash clothing –, as well as a pleasant little plaza and an excellent example of a traditional drystone wall. From this site, you can walk to Ca n’Andreu des Trull, a picture-perfect farmhouse that has been turned into a museum, whose oil press (known as a trull) dates back to 1775.
Somewhat more tucked away is Font d’en Xico Sala, located in a wooded area at the foot of Puig des Molí, just by the side of the road that joins Sant Carles with Cala Mastella. It is an excellent example of a traditional island spring, adapted to provide water for human use, for livestock and for irrigation. The access stairs lead to a large chamber with an arched roof where the water comes out through an opening in the wall. You can also explore two other springs in the municipality if you take the R2 walking route, which passes by Font d’Atzaró and Font de Perella.
The Roman aqueduct of s’Argamassa
Santa Eulària’s hydraulic heritage includes one of Ibiza’s hidden treasures: the archaeological site of s’Argamassa, located just a few metres from the beach of the same name. Declared a Cultural Interest Asset, this site conserves the remains of an Imperial Roman villa and a 425-metre Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st century CE. According to the excavation finds, it is possible that this structure was part of a rural-maritime settlement and that its purpose was to channel fresh water to an industrial fish installation, whose pools would have been used to keep caught fish fresh. The works are made of opus caementicium, the Roman equivalent of concrete, consisting of a mixture of water, lime, pebbles, sand, and waste rock.
