• Català
  • Castellano
  • English

Newspaper library

Conclusions from third stage of Can Blai dig

canblaiRodadePremsaEarlier today in a press conference, the heads of the third stage of the Can Blai excavation—Dr Jordi Fernández and Ricardo González, professor of ancient history and archaeology at Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis—announced the principle conclusions that have been drawn from the fieldwork done this month by a group of 23 participating students of 13 different European universities.

Timeline confirmed

“We've been able to confirm that the ruins were indeed a Roman fort from early IV century,” explained Ricardo González, “though doubts remain as to whether construction was ever completed”. In the surrounding area members of the team also discovered a cistern which may have belonged to the fort and of which prospection will be conducted at a later point in time.   

The researchers say within two years time they hope to produce a monograph on the archaeological site and a publication explaining the function of the Can Blai fort. Jordi Fernández said the discovery of the fort on Spanish territory was “extremely unusual” and as a result asked that it be “restored and placed within reach of visitors to the island—this is part of the patrimony of Formentera”.

Council to beautify site and surroundings

Susana Labrador, councillor of culture and patrimony of the Formentera Council, explained the work being done by her office to showcase this part of Formentera's past. “Informational plaques are going to be placed in the environs and any pertinent restitutions will be made as well. Our goal is to share these findings—and information about what life at this fort, in that era, would have been like—with the community and everyone else interested”.

Work at the site falls under the umbrella of an archaeological research project entitled Can Blai. Un fortín bajoimperial de vigilancia costera en el Mediterráneo occidental (Can Blai. A lower-imperial coastal-surveillance fort in the Western Mediterranean). According to the Can Blai researchers, evidence suggests that in the first decade of the IV century Rome placed some 80 men at the fort to maintain vigil over the island and prevent the disembarkation of potential enemies.

Funding for the initiative has been provided by Fondation Unice. The Formentera Council has contributed all necessary materials and logistical planning for the digs themselves, as well as giving accommodation and meeting food costs of the students.

New project

Ricardo González is already in the planning stages of a new project to take place in the Punta Pedrera (translatable in English as 'quarry point') zone of the island. The aim of the project will be to see if the quarries at that site were used to supply stone for construction of the Can Blai fort, and in passing expand the base of scientific knowledge on a site threatened by “marine erosion and the passge of a great number of visitors”.

Getting word out on new island ordinance that targets active advertising

At nightlife establishments across Es Pujols, the Formentera Council office of tourism is kicking off a campaign to raise awareness about a municipal ordinance on the island that takes aim what has been dubbed 'active advertising' (publicitat dinàmica). Councillor and tourism office head Alejandra Ferrer hopes, with the informational campaign, to respond to the “growing number of complaints [the administration receives] related to the increasingly popular practise of hawking pre-sale tickets and conducting active advertising, whether without a permit in urban areas or in port areas”.

Meetings within the sector

In recent days, Ferrer has met with representatives from the nightlife sector to explain firsthand the implications of the ordinance—and has been satisfied with the response: “What we've seen so far is a willingness to take care of something that people see as running counter to the image of Formentera we put forth to tourists”. In Ferrer's words, the local office of tourism wants “visitors to be free to choose the establishment they wish to patronise”, highlighting the danger of such advertising “given what our tourists have come looking for is tranquility”.

Informational report

At every nightlife establishment, the office of tourism has distributed a document reminding business owners of what is prohibited under the active advertising ordinance: The practice of such advertising without the corresponding permits; the use of audiovisual equipment or vehicles equipped with advertising elements; to complement other hand-distributed bills, affixing or otherwise attaching objects of any kind, configuration or structure on public thoroughfares or public places; obstructing the passage of pedestrians or otherwise addressing pedestrians; the sale or pre-sale of tickets or similar material and vociferating information related to the advertised activity. The document also notes the ordinance's prohibition of throwing promotional material and the dissemination of promotional messages by any audiovisual means not allowed by existing laws.

Bulking up inspections

Alejandra Ferrer announced that additional features would be added to the inspections plan, giving inspectors the power to penalise offenders of the ordinance. The councillor noted, “police presence in Es Pujols will increase beginning today”. Between 2013 and 2014 there were 150 reports filed of active advertising. Offences that fall within the scope of the ordinance will be penalised as follows: (minor infractions) fine of up to 150.25 euros; (serious infraction) fine from 150.26 to 6,010.12 euros; (very serious infraction) fine from 6,010.12 to 30,050.60 euros.

Likewise, in terms of additional corrective measures, the ordinance authorises the cautionary and temporary closing of the offending club, dancehall or activity, whether the offender was the business owner or employed by the business in question.

Torre des Pi des Català welcomes first Thursday-afternoon visits

torrevisitableStarting this Thursday, 30 July, la torre des Pi des Català (es Pi des Català tower) will open every Thursday afternoon for public visits, from five to seven in the evening. “The visiting hours,” explained councillor of patrimony Susana Labrador, “are a way for both locals and tourists to discover this aspect of Formentera's past”—a discovery in which the administration hopes school children will also take part. According to Labrador: “School groups will also be able to visit the defence tower by requesting an appointment in advance via the Formentera Council's office of patrimony”.

In May the Council signalled the completion of restoration work at la torre des Pi des Català, which sits alongside Migjorn beach and is part of the 'es Pi des Català' neighbourhood of Formentera. Work at the site ran a total cost of €170,603, which was met in part by funding from the regional programme Leader.

First defence tower with interior open to public

With restoration complete, the tower became the first of its kind on Formentera whose inner chambers could be visited. Supporters of the project hailed the decision to leave intact the original structure—which dates back to the second half of the eighteenth century—along with the architectural features employed at the time of building.

La torre des Pi des Català is a monument declared bé d'interès cultural (BIC)—cultural heritage site—and included in Formentera's catalogue of cultural patrimony as a site with level A protection. In May 2012 and at no cost, the state ceded the land upon which the tower sits to the Formentera Council, in compliance with the law on patrimony and municipalities ('ley del patrimonio de las administraciones públicas').

History

One of the four main defence towers found on the island of Formentera, es Pi des Català defence tower was, along with the three other towers, erected between 1762 and 1763 in strategic locations determined by Francisco de Paula Bucarelli y Ursúa, the then general captain of the Balearic Islands. The project was carried out under the guidance of military engineer José García Martínez. The constructions were used both for defence and –as was most often the case– surveillance until 1867.

Vice-president Biel Barceló makes first official visit to Formentera

trobadabarceloAt midday today, vice-president of the Govern Balear and regional councillor on affairs of innovation, research and tourism, Biel Barceló, was received by Formentera Council president Jaume Ferrer and local councillors Bartomeu Escandell of the presidential cabinet, the tax office and rural affairs; Alejandra Ferrer of territory and tourism and Rafael González of infrastructure and transport.

Accompanied by director general of tourism Pilar Carbonell, Barceló arrived on his first official visit to Formentera and underscored “the commitment of the newly elected Govern Balear administration to working jointly with the different island councils of the region on those issues that effect them directly”. For his part, the president of the Consell Insular de Formentera expressed his pleasure meeting with a new administration that according to President Ferrer “has already demonstrated a different approach to that of its predecessor...they are clearly interested in making progress with all the issues on the table”.

Tourism

The transfer of authorities in the promotion of tourism was the central issue at the gathering. Jaume Ferrer indicated “the transfer will be necessary if Formentera is to develop its own brand name”. On that matter, Vice-president Barceló committed to working with the Formentera Council to ensure the change be backed by sufficient funding, while noting “we can't change the resources we've got at our disposal”.

On the subject of emerging technologies, the Govern vice-president demonstrated his willingness to “chip away at the inequalities that have affected Formentera since day one” and asserted, “there are things that the Formentera Council can be doing right now to make headway”.

Gilbert Herreyns' El bosc i la Mola exhibition

expoherreynsYesterday the doors of the old town hall exhibition space opened on Gilbert Herreyns' exposition El bosc i la Mola ('The forest and la Mola'). The culling of work by the Belgian artist and longtime Formentera habitué is made up of driftwood engravings, tableaux adorned with pigments and pine needles and sculptures of savina juniper branches. All of the materials are found by the artist on our island.

The exposition is part of a larger selection of Herreyns' work displayed at the Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Eivissa between April and July, and prompted his confession: “I couldn't help but give a special place to these Formentera-born creations”. The CiF councillor of culture, Susana Labrador, underscored the immense quality of the art Herreyns produces. El bosc i la Mola falls within the on-going programme of Sant Jaume festivities and can be visited Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. until 31 July.

More Articles...

Page 7 of 138

7