Ibiza has said farewell to one of the island’s most beloved and recognizable figures. Ana Marí Torres, affectionately known simply as “Anita” of the legendary Ca n’Anneta, or Bar Anita, in Sant Carles, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100.

For generations of locals, artists, travelers and hippies, Anita represented the soul of old Ibiza. Her famous bar in the village of Sant Carles became far more than just a café or meeting place. It evolved into a cultural landmark that captured the authentic spirit of the island long before Ibiza became known around the world for tourism and nightlife.

Just two days before her passing, the Acadèmia de Gastronomia d’Eivissa i Formentera awarded Ca n’Anneta a special recognition for being living history and one of the most emblematic establishments on the island. The timing of the tribute made the moment even more emotional for the local community.

The story of Ca n’Anneta began in the mid-20th century, when Anita took over the traditional house known as Can Pep Benet, home to the village grocery shop, and transformed it into what would later become one of Ibiza’s most iconic bars. Over the decades, the establishment gained international recognition for its timeless atmosphere, preserved mailboxes, traditional hierbas ibicencas and unique mix of local residents, wandering artists, hippies and curious travelers.

Even after retiring and moving to Ibiza Town, Anita often returned to the bar she always described as her true home. “When I go to Ca n’Anneta, I say I’m going home,” she once famously said.

During the rise of Ibiza’s hippie movement in the 1960s and 1970s, Anita became known for her kindness and generosity. Many hippies arriving on the island with little money or nowhere to go found comfort inside her bar. Some affectionately called her “Mama” because she would offer food, smiles and even financial help until families abroad could send money. Anita herself once explained that she always tried to help when she could, describing many of the hippies as people with “great hearts.”

Her personal life was equally remarkable and reflected the hardships and resilience of Ibiza’s older generations. Born in Santa Eulària in 1926, Anita grew up helping her parents in the countryside before later meeting her husband Bartomeu under extraordinary circumstances during politically difficult years in Spain. Their love story, marked by prison letters, separation and sacrifice, became one of the many stories she would later share with warmth and honesty.

Alongside raising her three children, Anita dedicated years to running the bar and creating the famous homemade hierbas ibicencas that became one of the establishment’s signatures. Using aromatic herbs collected from the countryside and a secret family recipe she adapted herself, her hierbas eventually became known far beyond Ibiza.

Today, Ca n’Anneta remains one of the island’s most photographed and visited traditional bars, preserving an atmosphere that feels untouched by time. Visitors continue to gather beneath the famous sign outside, admire the old postboxes still in use today and experience a rare glimpse of Ibiza’s authentic past.

Anita’s funeral will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the church of Sant Carles, just a short walk from the bar that carried her name and legacy for decades.

With her passing, Ibiza loses not only a historic figure, but also a living connection to the island’s soul, traditions and bohemian history. Yet through Ca n’Anneta and the countless memories she created for generations of people from around the world, Anita’s legacy will continue to live on forever.