"Diod., V, 16. Having already said sufficient concerning Sardinia, we shall now speak of the islands situated close by. After the aforementioned island is the one called Pitiusa, named thus by virtue of the many pines growing there. It is in the middle of the sea and is three days and as many nights' distant from the Pillars of Hercules; a day and a night are sufficient to reach Libia, and one day's journey separates it from Iberia. Its extension is the same as that of Corfu and it is moderately fertile: there are a few vineyards and oleasters grafted with olive-sprigs. And the wools produced there are of great renown, remarkable for their softness. It is crossed by pleasant meadows and hills and it has a city named Ebusos, and it is a colony of the Cathaginians. It also has ports worthy of mention and great walls as well as a considerable number of admirably built houses. It is inhabited by barbarians of all types, principally Phoenicians. The colonization of this island took place more than one hundred and seventy years after the founding of Carthage."

Historical Names

The islands of Ibiza and Formentera were known to the Greeks by the names of Pytioussa and Ophioussa. The Carthaginian colonizers gave Ibiza the name of Ibosim, Aibusim, or Ebusim, which means Island of Bes -an Egyptian god which the Carthaginians adopted- and on coins the name appeared under the abbreviation IBSM.
Adaptations of Ibosim:

Iberian - Ebeso
Greek - Ebysos
Latin - Ebusus
Arab - Yebisah
Catalan - Eivissa
Castilian - Ibiza
Prehistory

With the exception of the Dolmen of Ca Na Costa on Formentera (2nd millennium B.C.), the few remains of this period are vague.

Punic Period

654 B.C.
The Carthaginian colonization and founding of Ibiza. 509-348 B.C.
Carthaginian commercial and military control of the Western Mediterranean, defined by the treaties of Cathage with Gadir (Cádiz), Ebysos, Sardinia and Sicily.
Carthaginian control of this area forced the Greeks to establish their colonies on the northern coast of Mediterranean Iberia.
Ibiza thus acquired strategic and commercial importance, proof of the latter being the great number of issues of its own coinage.
Explotation of the salt pans, along with the fishing, mining, agricultural and ceramic industries, was begun at this time.
Neo-Punic Period

146 B.C.
The fall of Carthage.
Ibiza made a pact with Rome after the fall of Carthage and obtained the greatest degree of autonomy allowable under Roman law.
Ibiza coinage was issued with the head of Tiberius, Caligula or Claudius on the reverse side, and on the obverse the figure of the god Bes.
The salt and mining industries continued, and industry and commerce were maintained.
Roman Period

70 A.D.
Vespasian grants Roman Law to all Hispanic peoples; Ibiza loses her autonomy, exchanging her confederate situation for that of a municipality.
IVth Century

Ibiza and Formentera become part of the Balearic province created by Theodosius around the Balearic Islands, (Ginnesias in Greek). Mallorca and Menorca

V th to XI th Centuries

425
The Vandal gunderic devastates the Balearics.
Ibiza and Formentera once again depend upon Carthage.
484
The Arian Vandal Huneric summons to Carthage the Catholic bishops, and among those who defend the Catholic Faith is Opilion, bishop of Ibiza.
535
Belisarius conquers the islands for the Byzantie Empire.
693
Islam seizes Carthage. The Arab invasions begin.
682-712
Theodoric defeats the Byzantine squadron.
This possibly marks the moment when the islands become incorporated into Visigothic Spain.
707
Abdallah, firstborn son of Muza, conquers Mallorca. A period of more than five centuries of assaults and changing powers begins.
798
Probable date of Charlemagne's rescue expedition. The Caliphate of Cordova, the Emirs of Denia, the Almoravids, the independent Dynasty of the AbenGanyas and the Almohades succeed each other in domination of the islands, against Arab incursions.
In the middle of the ninth century 300 of the Emir of Cordova's warships take control of the islands.
859
Invasion and devastation of the islands by the Normans.
901-902
The islands are finally annexed to Islam.
1087
A period of independence begins.
XII th Century

1108
The Norwegian Prince Sigur pays an advantageous visit to the island of Formentera.
1114
The combined armadas of Pisa and Aragon under the command of the Count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer III, with a fleet of 500 ships, 300 of them Pisan, leave Salou on St John's day and land on Ibiza between 21 July and 10 August. The three precincts of the Arab wall were take in succession, the city was destroyed and the fortifications demolished. The Arabs were still in power during this period.
XIII th Century

1235
Catalan conquest.
Granted as fiefs by Jaime I on Saint Ciriaco's day, August 8, the town and country of Ibiza are conquered by the troops of Guillermo de Mongrí, Nuño Sans and Pedro, Prince of Portugal.
The five Arab districts -Alhauet, Xarc, Benizamid, Algarb, and Portmany- are reorganized and divided into the "quartons" Pla de la Vila, Santa Eulalia or Del Rey Balanzat, Portmany, and Las Salinas. The first was divided into four parts which were added to the rest forming the four fiefs to be divided among the conquerors.
Mongrí was given two districts. Benizamid and Algarb for having provided twice as many troops as the others, while Xarc fell to the Prince of Portugal, and Portmany to the Count of Rosselló (Nuño Sans). The island of Formentera was also divided into four "quartons": Es Cap, Porto Saler, Carnatge, and La Mola.
On September 15 1235, one month and seven days after the conquest became known, order was given to endow the people of Mallorca with the parish church of Santa María de Ibiza.
1242
On the death of the Count of Rosselló, his executors sold his "cuartón" to the king who, in turn, sold it to Montgrí; thus all three domains came under the Archbishopric of Tarragona. The Prince of Portugal's "quartón", was also either sold or given in exchange to the king and, for this reason, was given the name "cuartón" Del Rey.
1261
The people of Ibiza were granted the right to share in the profits of the salt industry.
1267
This concession was increased to the people of Ibiza being allowed total benefit from the salt fndustry, the overlords retaining control and jurisdiction over the pans.
1286
Ibiza and Formentera are annexed to the kingdom of Mallorca.
1299
Letter of Exemption as the basis for local law.
By concession of Jaime II the University of Ibiza was set up as a regularly functioning single organ of municipal government for the two islands.
XIV th Century

At the beginning of the century the four original churches and chapels -one for each "cuart¢n" were constructed: San Jorge, San Antonio, Santa Eulalia and San Miguel.

Due to epidemics and periods of famine, the population of Ibiza falls to about 3000, while Formentera became uninhabited by the end of the century.

1335
Two messengers from the Ibiza dignitaries obtain from Jaime II of Mallorca the right to be protected by a a corsair who had established himself on the island. 1343
Pedro el Ceremonioso takes possession of Ibiza Castle.
1348
The Black Plague.
1359
An attack by Pedro el Cruel is rebuffed by Guillermo de Llagostera; the island is razed to the ground and Pedro el Ceremonioso subsidizes the repair of the walls.
XV th Century

A century of want, lacking in political events.

During the second half of the century the original church of Nuestra Señora de Jesús is built, and the Franciscan Brotherhood establishes itself there in 1498. The altarpiece by Rodrigo de Osona, still preserved there dates from this time. The king allows the adoption of the system known as "de saco y suerte" by which University posts were given by lot in this way avoiding favouritism and discord caused by a purely elective process.

XVI th Century

1518
During Carlos l's offensive against Algeria, the troops of D. Hugo de Moncada, billeted on Ibiza while the boats were being repaired, sack the island through lack of payment.
The Ibiza coast is frequently laid waste.
1554
Prince Felipe commissions the Roman engineer Juan Bautista Calvi to construct the walls.
1555
The same engineer is commissioned to fortify the church of Santa Eulalia and the tower of the salt pans (today the tower of Sal Rosa).
1565
Construction of the San Juan bastion.
1578
Extension of the tower of San Juan and construction of the Santa Lucia bastion under the charge of Jacobo "Fratin".
1584
The Portal de las Tablas is put in place.
1586
The Dominicans settle in Nuestra Señora de Jesús.
1587
The Dominicans are given permission to build their monastery within the walls.
1592
The foundation stone of the present-day church of Santo Domingo is blessed.
XVII th Century

Precarious economic situation, a grave monetary crisis and famine in the countryside 600 people die of plague in Ibiza and its suburbs.
1662
The Archbishop of Tarragona converts the "cuartón" chapels into vicarages.
1686
The Jesuit Brotherhood is formed.
1697
The repopulation of Formentera is begun.
XVIII th Century

The House of Bourbon is installed in Spain.
Onofre Rimbau, chief syndic of the University, pays homage to the first Bourbon in the presence of the viceroy of Mallorca.
1706
After the capitulation of Catalonia, Aragón, Valencia and Mallorea before Charles III, Archduke of Austria, an Anglo-Dutch fleet of 28 ships lands on Ibiza. The University and the island of Ibiza reeognize the Archduke.
1708
A free school for reading, writing and arithmetic is set up in the Dominican Monastery.
1715
Barcelona having been taken in September of the previous year by French troops aiding Felipe V, Ibiza swears fidelity to the monarch the salt pans becoming royal property through right of conquest.
1725
The first trees of the poplar grove are planted in "La Tarongeta" (now Plaza Cayetano Soler).
1726
The church-fortress of San Frarncisco Javier on Formentera is blessed. (The defense complex is completed with the coastal towers on the islands and the Espalmador Tower).
1728
The reconstruction of the parich church of Santa Maria is completed.
1730 Any d'es tró, (Year of the thunder)
Santa Lucia explodes due to an electric spark. It caused great damage and the death of fifteen people.
1732
As a result of the increase in the rural population, two new churches are built. This year saw the completion of the churches of San Jos‚ and, shortly afterwards, San Juan.
1735
A Royal Decree concedes "an annual donation of two thousand, six hundred "pesos" of salt on eondition that there should be a general call to arms against the Infidel when needed, and that account should be given of the distribution of the said amount before the Tribunals".
1746
Facts from a municipal leaflet giving an account of the proclamation of Fernando VI: the number of houses in the town is 200, and in the suburb, 420.
1749
The construction of the Espalmador tower is ordered.
1764
The military engineer D. José García draws up the plan of Ibiza by request of the Town Hall.
1767
Expulsion of the Jesuits.
1782
A Papal Bull authorizing the creation of a bishorpric on Ibiza.
Ibiza receives the title of city.
1784
The first bishop of the modern era. Abad y Lasierra, arrives on Ibiza.
The division of Ibiza and Formentera into parishes is begun, and completed in 1785.
1786
The church of San Francisco Javier, on Formentera, becomes a parish church, and two new parishes are created, one in La Mola (El Pilar) and the other in Las Salinas (San Fernando).
1789
The king commissions Cayetano Soler to carry out the Plan of Reforms, which included the construction of new public buildings, industries and educational centres.
A ramp is begun to make the climb up to EI Portal de las Tablas easier.
Water is brought to a public fountain from San Rafael.
Plans are drawn up for new towns in all the parishes; the construction of Santa Eulália del Rio is begun with the first public fountain and the planting of the poplar grove.
A hundred boundary stones are put into position to mark the limits of the "quartons".
At the same time Cayetano Soler establishes the Nou Sistema (New System), which implied a political and economic transformation, The suburb of La Marina grows considerably during this century. A low wall, called L'Estacada. is built (closing La Marina from the San Juan bastion to the beach, and with a gate opening into Calle de la Cruz), and measures are taken to limit its growth, for defense reasons. Maritime traffic and privateering increases and, at the end of the century, Ibiza and Formentera become the province of Ibiza.
A Royal Command establishes the foundation of a town in each of the recently created parishes.
Cayetano Soler demarcates 18 towns. The attempts to group the rural population around churches and town halls fails due to the country people's independent character.
1794
Bishop Azara, president of the Junta of the Plan of Reforms, obtains from His Majesty premission to convert what was formerly the Jesuits' house into a seminary or study centre.
1795
Clemente Llócer is ordained Bishop of Ibiza, and it was he who was to move cathedral choir from the centre of the church to behind the main altar.
1797
Cayetano Soler is transferred to the Court. An "Inventory of New Establishments and Improvements" is drawn up for Ibiza.
Ibiza now has 15.496 inhabitants.
1798
In the upper town live 450 families, while 77 inhabit La Marina.
1799
From the "Cansus of Spain's Territorial and Industrial Wealth" we learn that Ibiza and Formentera form the province of Ibiza, one of the thirty-four into which Spain is divided.
At the end of the century there are battles between the corsairs of Ibiza and the English and French, due to the diffewent alliances of Spain and France in the Battle of Trafalgar and the War of Independence. The corsair Antonio Riquer y Arabs defeats the gunboat Felicity.
XIX th Century

1800
The corsairs' allowances and government taxes to finance the war made the first years of the new century a period of penury for the island, with continuous peasants' revolts.
1809
The lord mayors of the towns request the Supreme Central Administration to abolish the "Nou Sistema" and the Government Junta, which had enemies from the very beginning.
1812
The first constitutional board of town councillors is elected.
1833
The province of Baleares is created, along the remaining Spanish provinces, and the islands' six municipalities are formed, that of the city of Ibiza being the smallest.
1834
The postal service between Palma and Ibiza set up.
1835
The Dominican Friars are expelled from their Monastery and the State confiscates their goods, which are transferred at a low price. The church remained at the disposal of the ordinary and the monastery building was converted for use as town hall, jail and other services.
1846
The first printing press opens, and the first periodical, the review "EI Ebusitano", is published.
1848
The first extension of the suburb of La Marina, "EI Poble Nou", is begun, from the San Juan bastion to what is now Calle del Conde de Roselló.
1849
Plane trees are planted in the Alameda (Paseo Vara de Rey).
1851
The Concordat of this year abolishes the diocese Ibiza and attaches it to that of Mallorca. This attachment is never carried out, however, since the diocese is run by capitulary vicars.
1860
Telegraphic communications are set up between Valencia and Mallorca.
1863
It is agreed to install street lighting.
1869
The first of the island's roads, from Ibiza to San San Antonio, is completed.
1871
The State sells the salt pans to a private mainland company.
1882
Approval of a project for a modern port in Ibiza, construction of which lasted until the beginning of this century.
The wall of the first stockade is demolished. The zigzagging ramp of the Portal de las Tablas is substituted by a more modern straight one, perpendicular to the port.
1885
Work on the port is begun, to be finally finished in 1912. They were negotiated by the deputy Cipriano Carijo and planned by the engineer D. Emilio Pou. The straits which separate the islands of Grossa, Plana, and Del Botafoc are closed.
1888
The first telephone is installed at Las Salinas.
1892
A third-class road from the La Savina landing stage to the Lighthouse, on Formentera, is included in the General Road Plan.
The "Diario de Ibiza" (Ibiza Daily) appears.
1894
The ice-making machine is installed.
The kiosk on the Paseo de las Adelfas, La Alameda, Paseo Vara de Rey, is completed.
Construction begins of the present-day breakwater, using stones from Clot Vermey.
1898
The Teatro Pereyra is constructed.
Emigration to South America and Cuba takes place during the last quarter of the century.
The population increases slowly. In 1900 there are 25814 inhabitants on the two islands, 23.556 of them on Ibiza.
XX th Century

1903
The Ibiza Archaeological Society (Sociedad Arqueológica Ebusitana) is founded.
1904
The monument to Vara del Rey is inaugurated by Alphonso XIII.
The first excavations in the Punic necropolis are carried out by D. Juan Roman Calvet and D. Arturo Pérez Cabrero.
1912
Paseo Vara del Rey is extended -"Sector Alameda"- by the provincial architect José Alomar.
1915
Paseo Vara del Rey is further extended northwards -"Lado Norte Vara del Rey"- planned by Guillermo Rainés
Inauguration of the monument to the Ibiza corsairs in the port of Ibiza.
1922
A telegraphic service is installed between Ibiza and Formentera.
1927
Restoration of the apostolic see of Ibiza, with Salvio Huix as its first bishop.
1928
Construction of the present-day dockyard.
1929
Plan for the extension of Santa Eulália. Alomar was the architect.
1930
Extension between Avenida España and Carretera San Anton¡o. Alomar was the architect.
1931
The Punic-Roman necropolis of Puig des Molins is declared a historical-artistic complex.
1934
Extension : Avenida España-Necropolis-Figueretas. Architect: José Alomar.
1942
A construction plan for the area between the Lighthouse and the town of San Antonio is drawn up. Architect: José Alomar.
The walls and the cathedral tower are declared a National Historical and Artistic Monument.
1949
The northern extension of the city of Ibiza is planned.
1952
Puig de Missa de Santa Eulária des Riu is declared a Historical and Artistic Complex.
1958
Ibiza Airport is opened to commercial traffic.
General Plan for Sant Antoni de Portmany. Architect: Rafael Llabrés.
1964
The Chapel of Santa Agnés is declared a National Historical and Artistic Monument.
1965
The fourteenth-century church of San Cristóbal, in the Augustinian Convent in Dalt Vila, is demolished.
1969
The city of Ibiza including Dalt Vila, La Marina, and Peña, is declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.
1972
After 10 years of transactions, the Provincial Plan for the Balearics is approved. The Ministry of War gives over the Castle and the territories of El Soto to Ibiza Town Hall.
1973
The General Plan for the Ibiza Municipality is approved.