Tanit was the Carthaginian mother goddess of sexuality, fertility and death and Ibiza was her Island until the Roman emperor Vespasian suppressed her cult in AD74. The Romans named her Dea Caelestis and worshiped her as Juno. To this day Tanit is still worshiped in Ibiza and her cave Temple, at Cova Des Cuieram on the road to Portinax, still stands as testament to her memory and spirit.
Ibiza city was first built on her "Holy Mountain" by the Carthaginians around 600BC. The Island was considered a sacred place, so much so that Carthaginian nobility buried their dead in Puig des Moulins on the slopes of the city, as it was associated with healing, rebirth and resurrection. Today, many people still come to Ibiza to live out their days before they move on to the next life.
The healing and rejuvenation powers of her waters, springs and fountains found on the Island are said to posses purification, fertility, life and magnetic balance. Punic ritual dances are still performed today around these waters which folklore associate with her magic. During her time of worship, the Island of Ibiza was rich with the produce of earth and became wealthy and prosperous.
The Ball Pages Unique Ibiza Courting Dance
600 clay statuettes of Tanit were discovered in her cave temple at Cova Des Cuieram and they are housed in the Museum of Archaeology in Ibiza. The caves are located in a remote and wooded area on a hill in Sant Vincent and are open to the public from 9am - 1pm. A car is essential if wanting to visit the caves which have a strange and eerie presence about them.
