Point of interest
Es Vedrà
in Ibiza, Spain
A dramatic limestone rock off the southwest coast, an uninhabited nature reserve wrapped in legends about its alleged magnetic energy. Best seen at sunset from Cala d'Hort.
Where it is
A rocky islet off the south-west coast of Ibiza, about 2.5 km off Cala d'Hort cove in the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia.
Address: Sant Josep de sa Talaia
What it is
The striking silhouette is regarded as one of the island's most beautiful natural landmarks and is especially famous for its sunsets. The view is best enjoyed from Cala d'Hort cove, from the clifftop viewpoints or from the water by boat. The rock is surrounded by countless legends of magnetism, mysterious energy and UFO sightings.
History
The limestone rock, rising about 382 m from the sea, has always been part of Ibiza's mythology: Greek tradition saw it as a place of sirens, and Phoenician lore holds it to be the birthplace of the goddess Tanit. Since 2002 Es Vedrà, Es Vedranell and the surrounding islets have been protected as a nature reserve, and landing on the island is forbidden. It is home to endemic plants, its own subspecies of the Ibiza wall lizard and a colony of Eleonora's falcons.