Ibiza and Formentera's Archaeological Museum facts for kids

The Museo Arqueológico de Ibiza y Formentera (Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera) is a special place that keeps, studies, and shows old things from the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. It helps us learn about the history of these islands.

The museum has two main parts. One is the Archaeological Museum in Dalt Vila. The other is the Monographic Museum of Puig des Molins. Both are found in the old town of Ibiza.

A Journey Through Time

This museum takes you on a journey through three thousand years of history! It shows how people first lived on the islands. It also covers events up to the time when the Catalan people took control in 1235.

The Dalt Vila Museum

The Dalt Vila part of the museum is inside the old, strong city walls of Dalt Vila. It opened in 1907. This happened because the Archaeological Society of Ibiza gave their collection of ancient items to the government.

This society started in 1903. They dug up many old things on Ibiza and Formentera. These items became the first things shown in the museum. Later, in 1913, a local family gave more items. These came from places like Ses Torres, Portmany, and the old temples of Illa Plana and Es Culleram.

The Puig des Molins Museum

The Puig des Molins Monographic Museum is located right at the ancient site of the Puig des Molins Necropolis. A necropolis is a large, old cemetery. This part of the museum tells the story of this burial ground. It also shows the most important ancient items found there. Everything is explained clearly and put into its historical setting.

The Ancient Cemetery of Puig des Molins

The area of Puig des Molins was chosen as a burial ground around 700 BC. The Phoenicians, who founded the city of Ibiza, used it. For a very long time in ancient history, this was the main cemetery for the city.

Since 1903, many archaeological digs have happened here. These digs have uncovered a huge number of items. They include things from the Phoenician, Punic, and Roman times.

In 1931, the Spanish government declared this necropolis a Historical and Artistic Monument. Today, it is the biggest and best-preserved Phoenician-Punic cemetery in the western Mediterranean.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Because of its great importance, the Puig des Molins Necropolis was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. This means it is a place of special cultural or physical importance to the world.

See also

In Spanish: Museo Arqueológico de Ibiza y Formentera para niños