Santa Eulària des Riu has completed the restoration of Font de Morna, a traditional spring-fed fountain near Sant Carles de Peralta that forms part of Ibiza’s rural water heritage.
The fountain
Font de Morna sits next to an old olive press, known in Ibiza as a trull, and is surrounded by dry-stone terraces. Fed by a natural spring, it is one of many fountains, wells and channels that once supplied farms across the island’s countryside. The site is protected in the municipality’s catalogue of historic heritage.
Why it needed work
Over the years, stones falling from the steep slope behind the fountain had damaged the structure. The rockfalls cracked its arch, damaged the spring outlet and wore away the terrace walls. Without intervention, there was a risk the fountain could collapse.
What was done
- The slope was stabilised first, to stop further rockfalls and protect the site during the work.
- The arch was rebuilt using irregular dry-stone blocks, following the original construction technique.
- The masonry was limewashed, a traditional finish that protects the stone while allowing it to breathe.
- The spring outlet was repaired so that water can flow freely again.
The team used archive photographs to make sure the restored fountain matches its historic appearance as closely as possible.
Public-private partnership
The work was carried out in collaboration between Santa Eulària town council and the Atzaró group, which funded and carried out the restoration at a cost of €14,479.
The mayor, Carmen Ferrer, praised the collaboration, explaining that the company is reinvesting money raised at its charity events in the municipality’s heritage. She encouraged other businesses to follow its example, saying that looking after places like Font de Morna strengthens local identity and keeps them alive for future generations.
Why these sites matter
Ibiza’s fountains, wells, waterwheels and irrigation channels are a record of how islanders managed scarce water for centuries. Many have been lost to abandonment or development. Restored, they are not only a link with the island’s farming past, but also part of the rural landscape that residents and visitors walk through today.
