Ibiza’s Archeological Museum includes two sites: one in Dalt Vila, the other one in Puig des Molins necropolis. Both invite their visitors to a “journey to death in the ancient Ibiza.”
It is a metaphoric trip to meet the Ibizan people that have been dead for centuries. An immersion in the mentality of societies that, in the most ancient of times, lived on the island; in their way of understanding death, their beliefs, fears, and hopes about the afterlife, and the consequent funeral conducts they developed. In short, a journey that not only provides knowledge on the past, but also serves as an invitation to reflect about oneself, and offers elements to better understand the present.
At the end of the 7th century BC, Phoenicians settled in Puig de Vila and its surroundings, and founded an area on Ibiza’s bay that became the city’s original core. It was during this time when the lower part of Puig des Molins started being used as a necropolis and it grew until it reached a surface of 10,000m2. The Monographic Museum of Puig des Molins holds an exhibition organized in five rooms. It includes samples from its utility time, on a journey through the necropolis’ history. Room I is dedicated to death during the Phoenician period, between 626 and 525 BC. It explains the funeral rites on that time, burials, and possible cenotaphs. Room II focuses on the Punic funeral rituals between 525 and 25 BC. The Punic period in Ibiza started in 525 BC. This culture pays extraordinary attention to the funerary world and all its rituals, from body preparation to funerals linked to burials, even the cults after death. Room III exhibits the evolution of Punic burials in Ibiza during the most ancient period (525-425 BC), classical period (425-300 BC), the most splendorous on the site, and the late Punic period (300-25 BC). Room IV describes the Roman funeral rituals in Ibiza from the beginning of the High Empire (25 BC) to the end of the late antiquity (700 AD). Room V holds the Sainz de la Cuesta collection. The whole collection is formed by a batch that Rafael Sainz de la Cuesta (Madrid, 1896-1961) acquired in 1945 from the heirs of Joan Roman Calbet, director and patron of the Ebusitan Archeological Society. Today, we are able to contemplate the collection, a compendium of all Roman-Punic archeology on the island, thanks to the donation Sainz de la Cuesta’s heirs made to the Government in 1965, with their clear wish of having it shown in the city.
Tickets: Students and groups of over 15 people at notice: 2.40€. “Friends of the museums”: 1.20€. Under 18, seniors, journalists, and teachers: Free.
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 09:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Friday: 09:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturdays: 09:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Monday and holidays closed.
Virtual visits:
Virtual visit to the Puig des Molins Monographic Museum:
https://maef.eu/tour-virtual-museo-monografico-puig-des-molins/
Virtual tour of the Puig des Molins necropolis northwest sector:
https://maef.eu/tour-virtual-museo-monografico-puig-des-molins-2-2-2/
Virtual visit Underground hypogeums of the Mule of the necropolis of Puig des Molins:
https://maef.eu/tour-virtual-hipogeos-de-la-mula/
Address: C/ Vía Romana, 31. 07800, Ibiza
Telephone: 971176090
Web: https://maef.eu/