Puig des Molins

The Puig des Molins contains the Punic Necropolis, a medieval Islamic rural property, and an archaeological museum. It gets its name from the windmills (molins in Catalan) which have stood on the top of the hill since at least the 14th century. This place was chosen by the founders of the city of Ibiza, the Phoenicians, in the middle of the 7th century BC, to bury their dead. During Antiquity, this was the site where the urban necropolis was located.

Since 1903, several archaeological works have been carried out, which have provided a huge amount of Phoenician, Punic and Roman materials. The monographic museum is world class, especially due to its Phoenician-Punic archaeological collection. In 1931, the necropolis was declared Historical and Artistic Monument (a Spanish type of protection category for monuments at those times), which kept it safe, at least some of it, from the urban growth pressure that was starting to affect the city. Because of this, today, with its nearly 5 preserved hectares, it is the largest and most well-preserved Phoenician-Punic necropolis in the western Mediterranean basin.

Exhibitions of three civilisations are housed in the Archaeological Museum. The building is the setting for a display of artefacts left on the islands by three different peoples: Phoenicians, Punics, and Romans, including objects from the necropolis of Puig des Molins, whose burial chambers contained necklaces, bronze and lead tools, projectile weapons, amulets, and coins were found. Highlights include the collection of decorated ostrich eggs, and particularly a bust of the goddess Tanit, who has become a veritable symbol of Ibiza.

References:

• maef.eu

Address

Via Romana 31, Ibiza, Spain

Details

Founded: 7th century BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain