Page 142 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

140  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA FORMENTER A  141

remains of a fortified megalithic
settlement. The area is also rich
in sculptures built of stones
placed one by one by passing
visitors. The most typical and
eye-catching features of this
windswept desert are pine trees
twisted into weird shapes by
the wind, and rocks eroded by
centuries of wind and water.

Plaça de la Constitució in Sant Francesc Environs
Travelling from Sant Francesc,
1 Sant Francesc for a drink, just to savour the you pass the little road leading
hazy atmosphere of “flower to Cala Saona. Here, positioned The southern coast of Illa Espalmador as seen from Formentera
* 3,400. n Plaça de la Constitució
s/n, 971 323 620. _ Sant Francesc power” nostalgia. in a small cove, are a beautiful 4 Illa Espalmador
Xavier (3 Dec). ∑ formentera.es Not far from Sant Ferran is sandy beach, a handful of rest- heron and the fen-duck. on which salt-loving flora and
Cova d’en Xeroni, a limestone aurants and a solitary hotel. During the summer season, fauna thrive. Salty shrimps are
Formentera’s tiny capital is a cave, discovered by accident This small, 3-km- (2-mile-) long the grounds are also visited by the favourite food of many
mere 3 km (2 miles) from La in 1975. The cave has been island is situated between flamingoes. Until recently it was birds, including the black-
Savina harbour and contains illuminated with 1970s disco For mentera and Ibiza. There is commercially viable to produce winged stilt.
most of the island’s historic lights, which only adds to the no regular ferry service; how- salt here, but in 1955 the area was
buildings. In Plaça de la charm of the guided tour. ever, during high season the declared a listed zone in view of
Constitució is an imposing island is visited by pleasure its ecological importance. Now 6 Ca Na Costa
fortified church dating from } Cova d’en Xeroni boats sailing from La Savina. the area including Ses Salines, 1.5 km (1 mile) north of Es Pujols.
1729, which was used by the Ctra Sant Ferran–La Mola, 6 km The tiny island is popular Estany Pudent and the Punta
many of the island’s inhabitants (4 miles). Open May–Oct: 10am– with day-trippers from Ibiza, de sa Pedera headland to the Situated close to the Es Pujols
as a shelter from the frequent 1:30pm & 5–8pm Mon–Sat. Call who flock here for the chance west of La Savina island forms resort is the megalithic burial
pirate raids that ravaged the 971 328 214 to arrange a visit. 8 to sunbathe on the shores of a nature reserve. chamber of Ca Na Costa
island. Now it houses the local Moored boats in the Estany s’Alga, a large natural harbour Situated to the north of Ses (1800–1600 BC), a circle of
government offices and a post d’es Peix lake situated at the southern end of Salines are Platja de ses Illetes seven vertical limestone
office. Nearby is the Museu 2 Cap de Barbària the island. This is also a favourite and Platja de Llevant, which blocks. The simplicity of the
Etnòlogic. Carrer de Jaume I 8 km (5 miles) southwest of 3 La Savina spot for yachts cruising the are considered to be among stone ring belies its historical
and its adjacent streets are full Sant Francesc. 3 km (2 miles) north of archipelago. A short walk north the loveliest beaches the importance, as it is the only
of market stalls selling clothes Sant Francesc. g of the beach is a sulphurous Balearic Islands have to offer. structure of its kind in the
and souvenirs. Among them, A bumpy road leads from Sant mud pool where you can The adjacent 200-year-old Balearic Islands and the
you can find New Age stalls Francesc southwards, across The only harbour in Formentera indulge in a bath of warm, sticky saltmill now houses a restaurant. most precious historic relic
offering jewellery. an area of wild desert, to the providing ferry links with Ibiza is ooze (get there early to avoid Salt was valued for centuries, on Formentera. It is also the
The oldest building in town distant Barbària headland. This situated in the northern part of the rush). The island’s only not only as a condiment but only evidence of prehistoric
is the 14th-century Capilla de is the southernmost point of the island. Apart from when monument is the Torre de sa also as legal tender. Even today human habitation remaining
sa Tanca Vell, a stone structure Formentera and it features an visitors are spilling on or off Guardiola, an 18th-century it is still being produced in the on the island.
with no windows and covered 18th-century defence watch- the ferries, La Savina is a fairly defence tower that has recently traditional way in many places The excavations were begun
with a barrel roof, which was tower, Torre des Garroveret, as sleepy, unassuming place. been restored. throughout the Balearic Islands. in 1974 and unearthed a num-
also often used as a refuge well as a lighthouse warning Nevertheless, it is possible to At low tide, some people Seawater floods the shallow ber of objects, including ceramic
from pirates. Also worth visit- passing ships of the numerous find several shops and super- attempt to walk across the lagoons and then evaporates and bronze vessels and axes,
ing is the local restaurant, Es rocks that jut from the sea at markets here, as well as car, sound to Formentera, although when heated by the sun, which are now on display in
Pla, situated along the road the island’s tip. Nearby are the scooter and bicycle hire. Buses this is prohibited by the notice leaving behind pure salt. This Eivissa’s Museu Arqueològic
to Cala Saona, which is famous unearthed to Sant Francesc, El Pujols and boards displayed at the tip of creates a specific environment (see p122).
for its Indian cuisine and large other villages depart from the Es Trucadors peninsula –
selection of beers. stops behind the ticket offices. the only traces of man’s pres-
There is also a taxi stand here. ence on this spit of white sand
Environs In view of the small distances are the fragments of boats, nets
Some 3 km (2 miles) to the east involved, cab rides are not very and buoys washed ashore by
is Sant Ferran. This modest expensive. La Savina adjoins the sea.
village with a lovely church the protected saltwater
was once the centre of alter- lagoons of Estany Pudent
native culture, taken over by and Estany d’es Peix. The 5 Ses Salines
large numbers of hippies. latter has a fishing harbour 3 km (2 miles) north of Es Pujols.
The legendary Fonda Pepe that is always full of boats
bar and the library, run by seeking shelter in the The flat, salty marshes found
an American called Bob, shallow, calm waters of along the road leading from La
were hippy meeting the lagoon; drying nets Savina to Es Pujols are famous
places in the 1960s. can be seen hanging for their birdlife. The most
It is worth going there Torre des Garroveret in Cap de Barbària along the shore. common species include the Picturesesque Ses Salines
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p151 and p163

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.2)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm