Ibiza is preparing a new geological interpretation centre dedicated to the rocks, fossils and geological history of Ibiza and Formentera. The planned Pityusic Islands Geology Centre will transform an existing exhibition in Ibiza Town into a more interactive educational space, helping visitors understand how the islands were formed and how their landscapes have changed over millions of years.
The Ibiza Island Council (Consell d'Eivissa) has put the exhibition project out to tender, with a budget of €298,021.66 including VAT. The new centre is planned for the former military command building at Carrer del Calvari 1, where it will occupy the entrance hall on the building's lower-ground floor.
The project will build on the geological collection of French geologist Yves Rangheard, donated to the Island Council in 2011. Through fossils, rock samples, models and interactive activities, the exhibition aims to make the geological heritage of the Pityusic Islands more accessible to residents, school groups and visitors.
Exploring the Geological History of Ibiza and Formentera
The centre will introduce visitors to the geological processes that shaped the Pityusic Islands, including the formation of their mountain ranges, beaches, rocks and fossil deposits.
According to the Balearic Government's geological guide, the oldest rocks currently exposed in Ibiza date from the Middle Triassic period, approximately 240 million years ago. These dolomites are found mainly in the northern part of the island, including the area around Punta d'en Valls.
The exhibition will explore different geological periods and the changes that shaped the islands, from ancient marine environments to the formation of the landscapes visible today.
One of the central features planned for the centre is a model of Gran Pitiüsa, illustrating how Ibiza and Formentera were connected by a larger landmass during the last Ice Age, when Mediterranean sea levels were considerably lower than they are today.
This shared geological history will help visitors understand why the two islands, although separated by the sea today, have important geological connections.
Interactive Exhibits, Fossils and Educational Activities
The new exhibition is designed to go beyond traditional display cases, incorporating hands-on activities and interactive educational resources.
The plans include:
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Interactive models explaining the formation of geological faults and beaches.
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Three-dimensional reproductions of the Pityusic Islands' terrain.
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Puzzles allowing visitors to reconstruct geological structures.
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A microscope for examining geological samples.
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An educational activity demonstrating the stages of fossil formation.
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A board game inspired by the biodiversity of Ibiza and Formentera.
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Display cases containing fossils and geological rock samples.
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Audiovisual screens explaining the evolution of the Earth, the continents and the Pityusic Islands.
The activities are intended to make geological concepts easier to understand, particularly for children and school groups, while also providing a more engaging experience for adult visitors.
The exhibition's content is planned in three languages: Catalan, Spanish and English.
The Yves Rangheard Collection Behind the Project
The new centre will build on an important scientific collection assembled by French geologist Yves Rangheard during his research in Ibiza and Formentera between 1961 and 1966.
Rangheard donated the collection to the Island Council in 2011. It includes fossils, rocks, geological photographs, maps, specialist publications and approximately 2,000 rock thin sections, which are extremely thin slices of rock prepared for examination under a microscope.
Some of this material has already been exhibited at the former military command building for more than a decade. The new project aims to improve how the collection is displayed and explained, giving visitors a clearer understanding of its scientific value.
The updated exhibition will combine original geological material with replicas, models and digital resources to tell the story of the islands in a more accessible way.
Where Will the New Geology Centre Be Located?
The Pityusic Islands Geology Centre is planned for the former Command Headquarters building in Ibiza Town.
Location: Carrer del Calvari 1, Ibiza Town.
Building: Former military command headquarters.
Exhibition space: Entrance hall on level -1.
The building already accommodates facilities belonging to the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and the Island Council's Image and Sound Archive.
The centre will therefore add another cultural and educational use to an existing public building in Ibiza Town.
€298,021 Investment and Project Timeline
The Island Council has launched the procurement process for the exhibition design, production and installation.
The published contract has a total budget of €298,021.66 including VAT, equivalent to €246,298.89 before VAT.
The budget is distributed across two financial years:
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2026: €119,208.67.
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2027: €178,812.99.
The project is associated with funding from the Balearic Government's Sustainable Tourism Promotion Fund, which supports initiatives to restore public heritage and develop cultural facilities.
The procurement notice sets a deadline of 13 November 2026 at 14:00 for interested companies to submit their bids. The contract specifies a five-month execution period from its formalisation.
This means the centre is still at the procurement and development stage. Its final opening date has not yet been confirmed.
A New Cultural and Educational Attraction for Ibiza
The planned Pityusic Islands Geology Centre forms part of a wider effort to improve Ibiza's public heritage facilities and broaden the island's cultural offering.
By presenting the geological history of Ibiza and Formentera through scientific collections and interactive experiences, the project will offer a different way to explore the islands beyond their beaches, archaeological sites and historic towns.
It will also provide an educational resource for local schools and families, helping younger generations understand the natural processes behind the landscapes they see every day.
Once completed, the centre is expected to give residents and visitors a closer look at the geological history of the Pityusic Islands, from ancient marine environments and fossil-rich rocks to the land connections that once joined Ibiza and Formentera.