MIRADOR DEL SAVINAR IBIZA

From the parking spot just off the Cala d'Hort road, continue along the track to reach a broad area of cliff top. To the left from here a steep and somewhat vague path climbs to the object of the walk the old watchtower overlooking Isla Vedra. It is one of the best preserved on the coast. Follow the path with care; the combination of polished rocks and windblown sand the latter acting like ball bearings means the ascent is slippery.

Some maps of Ibiza show the tower marked as Torre des Savinar, others as Torre Del Pirata What is not in dispute, however, is its purpose, the tower having been constructed sometime between the 16th and 18th centuries as a lookout for pirates approaching Ibiza's southern shore. The towers are known as talaias in Ibizenco, an interesting name as the island's highest peak is known as Sa Talaia. Presumably at one stage it, too, was used to watch for invaders.

The towers were constructed all around the island within sight of each other so that a beacon fire lit at one could rapidly pass a danger signal to all the islanders.

From the tower the eye is drawn to Isla Vedra, home, legend has it, of the Sirens who lured sailors to their doom in Homer's story of Odysseus (Ulysses). The island is one of the most famous of all Ibizan landmarks, seen on hundreds of postcards. It is at its most picturesque when viewed from here, where its sheer cliffs are seen rising about the smaller island of Es Vendranell.