Austere, whitewashed, with a defensive air. Santa Eulària’s traditional churches conjure up the olden days when islanders with their modest economy became the object of attacks by Barbary pirates. Stand in front of our churches. Sit on the porch benches. Go into their cool interior. Notice the details that differentiate each one from the others. And fall in love with their simple Mediterranean beauty.
Each one of the five parishes that make up our municipality is presided over by a modest church, all of them characterized by gleaming white walls and pure lines. With the sole exception of the Puig de’n Valls church, built in 1971, the rest of our churches were the original core around which our towns developed and grew: Santa Eulària, Jesús, Santa Gertrudis, and Sant Carles. We propose that you include them in your excursions around Ibiza, perhaps exploring one every day, or following a route from church to church, taking in the pleasant country scenery as you go. Or, if you prefer, you can follow the Cultural Route of Santa Eulària, an itinerary that will also lead you through other interesting heritage sites.
What are Santa Eulària’s traditional island churches like?
Modesty and defence characterized the churches that were raised outside the walled city. Lacking in superfluous adornments and far removed from the stylistic currents that emerged after the 15th century, these churches were built and paid for by local peasants, who lived within the confines of a sparse, self-sufficient economy. For this reason, not only are there no artistic flourishes, but the humble appearance of the churches was quite similar to that of the traditional farmhouse, with both types of construction sharing certain features – for example, thick walls, the presence of a porxo (porch), and a fortified appearance –, given that the churches also served as shelters during pirate raids.
The must-see churches of Santa Eulària des Riu
If you like experiencing history, relaxing in an atmosphere of peace, imagining what island life was like long ago, or simply photographing Ibiza’s loveliest spots, you must visit our churches. And, it’s something you can do all year round!
The church of Santa Eulària des Riu
This is the oldest church in our municipality and a must on any sight-seeing agenda for Ibiza given that it is an excellent example of the church-fortress. If you have not yet visited it, we recommend that you approach Santa Eulària from the south, on the Ibiza road, so that you get a good preview of this impressive monumental complex as it sits atop Puig de Missa, which in Catalan means ‘the hill of Mass’.
Inaugurated in 1568, the Santa Eulària Church was built with defence in mind, as its position high at the top of a hill indicates, as does its semi-circular fortified tower, which was used to defend the flour mills located on the bank of the river whenever pirates attacked. Walking up to the church is a real delight with the road winding through quaint traditional houses, the original heart of town. When you reach the top, where the church is, pay special attention to the porxo (porch), the largest on the island. Note, too, its fortified design, its defensive architectural features, and its stunning panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. Don’t forget to visit the pretty cemetery at the back.
The church of Sant Carles de Peralta
The façade of this church is one of the pleasant surprises that travellers find when on their way to the beaches in the north of the municipality. Built toward the end of the 18th century, it has only one window, despite the fact that pirate attacks were, by this time, decreasing in frequency. When you visit the Sant Carles church, take note of the belfry, curiously off-centre to the left. Its elegant porxo consists of attractive rows of white columns.
The church of Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera
If it weren’t for its steeple – the largest on the island – the Santa Gertrudis church would look more like a big house than a place of worship. This is due to the fact that the central nave, inaugurated in 1797, is hidden behind the current façade, built later for the purpose of adding on the porch and the upper floor. In addition to its unusual colour, when your visit the church pay attention to three other curiosities: it is the only church whose choir is reached by an outdoor staircase; the calvary on the façade has four crosses instead of three; while the simple fruit motifs adorning the interior allude to the agrarian nature of the area as well as the name of the church itself: ‘fruitera’ means ‘fruit basket’ in Catalan.
The church of Jesús
Whether you’re on a cultural route through Santa Eulària, or just on your way to Ibiza Town, stop off to see the Mare de Déu Church of Jesús and admire its altarpiece, one of the island’s most valuable artistic treasures. Built in the Late Gothic style and composed of 25 panels, it was painted in the workshop of two Valencian artists, Rodrigo and Francisco Osona. Other features which differentiate it from the rest of Ibiza’s and Santa Eulària’s churches is that it was originally built in the 15th century as a Franciscan monastery. Also, its porxo runs alongside the church, rather than standing at its usual position in the front.
