Sant Joan is one the cutest villages in Ibiza. Its main street is very different from the one in other villages because of the whitewashed houses that stand along it. It has got some bars and cafés, and a few shops and bank offices.
Don’t miss visiting the tobacconist Can Vidal, which is the oldest shop in the village and where anything can be bought, even the best herb spirit in the island. Near the village there is Pou de Labritja, a well, where every year, on the Sunday before St Mary’s day, there’s a popular dance celebration.
Estanco de Can Vidal, en Sant Joan de Labritja
Photo: Xescu Prats
The village’s history is connected to Antoni Marí ‘Milà’, a land owner who built a chapel in 1720 to attract more farmers to Sant Joan. Years later, the archibishopri gave permision to build a new temple next to the original chapel, which was finished in 1770.
La iglesia de Sant Joan de Labritja fue terminada en 1770
Photo: Xescu Prats
Even though at present Sant Joan seems a very quiet place, and a bit remot, in the XIX century it was one of the most populated areas in the island. Also, differently from other areas in Ibiza, Sant Joan didn’t suffer the attack of pirates due to the rough north coastline, which made disembarks difficult.
After the Constitución de Cádiz in 1812, Sant Joan was the only village given a Town Council, as it was the only town with over 1,000 inhabitants, which was the requirement written is its Magna Carta. However, it was isolated for decades, until 1885, when the road to the capital was built.
