Inspect medieval works of art and see how the architecture has gone from Gothic to Baroque in this church dominating the plaza at the top of the Old Town.
The Ibiza Cathedral is a Baroque masterpiece that looms large over the Dalt Vila walled city of Ibiza. Originally constructed in a Gothic design in the 14th century, the church was later restored and converted to its current glory in the 1700s. Admire the somber tone of the façade that stands tall over the church’s namesake plaza.
Notice the Gothic details that have been preserved from the cathedral’s original design. Impressive among the features of the church are its buttresses, polygonal apse and imposing bell tower. Enter through the main door to admire the great range of Catalan Gothic and Valencian décor. Study the 14th-century religious works of art by Francesc Cornes that line the interior walls.
Inside the church, notice the organ that hangs on the wall and the colorful stained-glass window above it. Walk around the serene plaza just outside the cathedral and enjoy spectacular views of the sea and the rest of Ibiza from the highest part of the Old Town area.
Be prepared for some climbing. The hill and the trail leading up to the cathedral are fairly steep. In addition, the church has stairs inside. Consider the intriguing history of the cathedral, which is thought to have been built on the location of a former mosque.
The church is dedicated to Santa María la Mayor. Enter the site for free from Tuesday through Sunday. Open hours are from morning until late afternoon, with a break for lunch.
Find the Ibiza Cathedral at the highest point of the Dalt Vila district in central Ibiza. It is on the southern side of the Cathedral Plaza, a short walk west from the nearest bus stop. While in the district, make sure to see other neighboring gems including the Museu Puget and the fortresses Baluard de Sant Pere and Baluard de Sant Jaume.
