Holiday apartment in San Francisco Javier: church, chapels and island markets

San Francisco Javier on Formentera combines distinctive religious buildings, historic sites, local markets and routes through the island’s history. The Sant Francesc Xavier church, the old cemetery, Sa Tanca Vella and the Centre artesà Antoni Tur „Gabrielet“ represent different facets of the town.

History

The Fossar Vell de Sant Francesc Xavier was Formentera’s historic cemetery. It was already in existence in 1757 and remained in use until 1940. Five burial chapels dating from the late 19th to the early 20th century have been preserved there. The small cemetery behind the Sant Francesc Xavier church is also one of the restored sites in the town centre: It was prepared for visitors and lies along Route 6, which passes the recently restored old cemetery.

The Sant Francesc Xavier church stands on the main square. It is a fortified church built between 1726 and 1737. Its door is clad in sheet iron and protected by a peephole. Sa Tanca Vella is older: a simple chapel built around 1369 and dedicated to Saint Valerius of Zaragoza. Sa Tanca Vella served as a meeting place for the new settlers from Ibiza who came to Formentera until the Sant Francesc Xavier church was built in the early 18th century. The chapel is currently out of service; it has been restored and can be viewed from the outside from Tuesday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Culture

The Centro Antoni Tur „Gabrielet“ hosts exhibitions and workshops on local crafts. One wing of the centre also houses a market selling food produced on the island. The Museu d'Etnografia de Formentera permanently displays a selection of traditional tools and household objects used by the inhabitants of Formentera. One of the saltworks railway locomotives stands in its courtyard. The Sala d’Exposicions Ajuntament Vell complements the cultural offerings with a year-round programme of temporary exhibitions.

Markets and crafts

The Mercat Pagès is located in the Centre artesà Antoni Tur „Gabrielet“ in the heart of Sant Francesc Xavier and presents agricultural, food-related and maritime products from the island throughout the year. Its stalls offer fresh and traditional products such as fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. The farmers’ market at the Centre artesà Antoni Tur „Gabrielet“ also sells locally produced fruit, vegetables, eggs and honey. At the Mercat Pagès, visitors can speak with producers and learn about local production or rural life on the island.

Routes

Several routes connect San Francisco Javier with historic sites and other parts of Formentera. Route 16 is the old path that directly linked Sant Francesc Xavier and Sant Ferran de ses Roques. The Sant Francesc–Ses Bardetes–Cala Saona route is an alternative, direct route from Sant Francesc Xavier to Cala Saona.

Route 6 begins at the Jardí de Ses Eres behind the Sant Francesc Xavier church and passes the small, recently restored cemetery. The route from Sant Francesc to Portossalé is 2.3 km long, has a moderate difficulty level and is stated to take 20 minutes by bicycle or 40 minutes on foot.

Windmills and festivals

The En Jeroni windmill, built in the late 18th century, is located at the „venta de sa Miranda“ in Sant Francesc. The Molí de En Jeroni has a well-preserved tower; its millstones are displayed outside the tower. The windmill is easily accessible from the Dalt de Porto-salè path.

The festival calendar is also part of public life in the town. The Sant Jaume festivities take place in Sant Francesc and are among Formentera’s prominent patron saint celebrations for locals and tourists. The festival of Sant Francesc Xavier is listed in Formentera’s festival calendar for 3 December.

Further destinations

Further destinations in the shared destination area include Platja De Migjorn, Es Caló, Formentera, Pilar De La Mola, Es Pujols, La Savina and San Ferrán De Ses Roques.

To the overarching travel overview: Formentera.