Point of interest
Dalt Vila
in Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza Town's walled medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: lanes climbing to the cathedral and viewpoints over the port.
Where it is
The fortified old town of Ibiza Town (Eivissa), perched on a hill above the harbour.
Address: Ibiza
What it is
Behind the intact walls lies a labyrinth of narrow cobbled lanes, small squares and viewpoints overlooking the sea. Highlights include the cathedral and castle at the summit, several museums, and many shops, galleries and restaurants. The quarter is especially atmospheric in the evening and a popular place to go out.
History
The hilltop was first settled in Phoenician times (around 654 BC) and later inhabited by Carthaginians, Romans and Moors. The current Renaissance walls, with their seven arrow-shaped bastions, were built between 1555 and 1585 to designs by the Italian military engineer Giovanni Battista Calvi, to defend the island against Ottoman and corsair raids. In 1999 UNESCO declared Dalt Vila a World Heritage Site.