HAS Formentera the lights of Ibiza's nightlife are far away. To shine Migjorn Beach These are just the stars. At the end of January, the island officially received the certificate of Starry tourist destination from the hands of Antonia Vareladirector of the foundation that certifies places around the world with low light contamination, ideal places for the development of astrotourism.
A trend that has increased, in the last five years, “by more than 300% worldwide, and even more in Spain, with more than 470%”, he explains. Varelà. “We are launching a Starlight application funded by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism with EU Next Generation funds, which will be a kind of Astroadvisor to report on specific places and experiences.” Because aiming for the stars means de-seasonalizing destinations hit by overtourism and guaranteeing the economic development of local populations.
READ ALSO: What to do and see in the Balearic Islands
We are also looking to the sky with growing interest in Italy, as confirmed by Mario Di Soraresponsible for light pollution of the Italian Union of Amateur Astronomers and director of the Campo Catino astronomical observatory: “Every year, around 50,000 people seek out these experiences. It is a form of tourism – naturalist and ecological – that looks very promising, especially for mountain resorts, now affected by the drastic reduction in snowfall.”
Formentera Starlight Points: Where to See the Island's Stars
In Formentera there are absolutely no mountains. The island is flat and the highest point, in the area of The Millbarely touches 192 meters above sea level. However, here the cliffs offer the same vertigo as the Alpine ridges. A lighthouse (now a museum) stands above, inaugurated in 1861 and catapulted into the novel. The Adventures of Ettore Servadac Of Jules Verne: a comet brushes past the Earth and “kidnaps” a piece of Formentera, taking it for a stroll through the solar system. In memory of this quote, a stele that stands out against the infinite blue.
Rare, in fact, to see comets. But you can admire much more from La Mola: it is one of the eight Starlight points on the island. “Perhaps the best, along with the Migjorn Region and others Can Marroig Interpretation Center“, explain Jordi Alemany Airspresident ofAstronomical Association of Formenterawhich periodically organizes events hosted by Gecko Beach Club Hotel and of Terramoll Cave.
“However, it is difficult to estimate a calendar of events: everything depends on the weather and what you want to see.” galaxies They are best identified in spring, in globular clusters (such as M13, the Cairn of Hercules) in summer, the nebulae in autumn or winter, the Milky Way from March to October while I planets They have their own cycle that does not depend on the seasons. It is surprising to discover that there are ten rains of shooting stars per year and not only Perseids in the night of San Lorenzo.
READ ALSO: Relax in Formentera: Back to the origins
“With our telescopes you can also perfectly observe the constellations of the zodiac with their most representative stars, such as Antares, Spica, Regulus and others like Vega, Deneb and Altairwhich together form the brilliant summer triangle. To be admired even with simple binoculars.”
The lighthouses of Formentera
It is also Starlight Point Cape Barbariawhere another lighthouse scans the horizon in vain in search of Algeria, too far away. However, the view is magnificent. Even more so if it is framed by the neighboring rock Fodder trapperforated underground cave with free air outlet overlooking the sea.
The third lighthouse on the island is located at Sa Savinathe port. But here there are too many lights, among the restaurants and clubs. As well as a Es Pujolsthe tourist heart of Formentera, where you certainly don't go to see the stars but to meet people.
The jewels of. shine like Sirius (the brightest star). Enric Majoral, famous designer who is now part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Art and Design in New York: a good reason to go shopping at Saint Francis Xavierthe “capital”. Little more than a handful of whitewashed houses line the streets leading to the Place of its Constitutiondominated by the fortress church.
Yet it looks like a metropolis compared to It is the Caló of Sant Agustía small fishing village that remains at the heart, with its street lamps and scarswhere they find refuge from the sea, I llaütstypical Balearic boats. These wooden sheds, dilapidated but full of charm, are a characteristic of the landscape of Formentera, to the point of having been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2002.
Sunsets and beaches in Formentera
There are not only constellations and planets. The sky is enchanting even when it turns red and the Sun, still a star, sinks into the sea. The most beautiful sunset in Formentera can be enjoyed from Saona Cove and nearby reddish earth cliffs (Starlight point).
Want to stay up to date on the world of travel?
But the beach His IlletesBy day, it has no rivals: Caribbean waters, pink sand and a necklace of islands to embellish its beauty. In the distance, the incomparable profile of Es Vedrathe magical rock of Ibiza. At dusk, the lights of the big sister can be seen among the Pitiusse: that's what the Greeks called the two “pine islands” among the Balearic Islands. You lie down on the dunes, ready to look for Venus in the sky at dusk. Waiting for night to fall.
