The setting: Ibiza, August 8, 1235 A.D.-The Arabs have ruled for 500 years when the Catalans invade. The Catalans, being from mainland Spain want to also claim Ibiza as their own. This makes sense, as the Island is just off the coast of Spain, with the Balearic Sea flowing through them; making Ibiza, Frontemera, Cabrera, Mallorca, and Minorco, the Balearic Islands.
As the Catalans are prepared to invade, the ruling Sheik and his brother are quarrelled over a mistress of the harem. The brother gets back at the Sheik and shows the Catalans the secret passage under the Dalta Villa, called Calle de san Ciriaco. This passage allows the Catalans to enter the city and take over. (So much for the fortified Citadel!) While the historical facts do not reveal the fate of the Sheik, the brother, or the mistress, that is where my story takes off and gives it life.
Before the Catalans or the Arabs, the Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Byzantines, and the Moors all ruled over Ibiza. Not at the same time, mind you, but they each had their turn immersing their beliefs, culture, food,art, and traditions into the fiber of Ibiza. There are even ancient Carthaginian burial grounds that still exist today.
Having researched the native food, vegetation, industry, and atmosphere of Ibiza and Es Vedra, I wanted to keep that authentic and maintain historical accuracy of the time. I also researched the Arabic clothing, and am still researching clothing, artillery, and other implements used during the 9th Century. Weaving these aspects of history into fiction allows readers to want to put themselves into the story; see ancient Ibiza through the characters' eyes. This breathes life into the story and the characters.
The mysterious island of Es Vedra is my chosen exile Island for my mistress character, Azizah. Many strange occurrences have been reported on this island which is the reason why I have added a special element to the story. You will know it when you read it! ;) Legend has it, Es Vedra is the upturned sunken lost city of Atlantis.
I am looking forward to learning more about the culture of Ibiza as I continue to write and develop my characters around the history of the Island. it is an amazing experience so far, and hopefully I can travel to Ibiza one day and see it in all it's ancient, majestic, exotic beauty that my characters saw 900 hundred years ago!
Stay tuned for next week's installment- Breathing Life Into My Characters!
Historical references: http://www.ibizaspotlight.com/ibizamagic/history_i.htm
As the Catalans are prepared to invade, the ruling Sheik and his brother are quarrelled over a mistress of the harem. The brother gets back at the Sheik and shows the Catalans the secret passage under the Dalta Villa, called Calle de san Ciriaco. This passage allows the Catalans to enter the city and take over. (So much for the fortified Citadel!) While the historical facts do not reveal the fate of the Sheik, the brother, or the mistress, that is where my story takes off and gives it life.
Before the Catalans or the Arabs, the Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Byzantines, and the Moors all ruled over Ibiza. Not at the same time, mind you, but they each had their turn immersing their beliefs, culture, food,art, and traditions into the fiber of Ibiza. There are even ancient Carthaginian burial grounds that still exist today.
Having researched the native food, vegetation, industry, and atmosphere of Ibiza and Es Vedra, I wanted to keep that authentic and maintain historical accuracy of the time. I also researched the Arabic clothing, and am still researching clothing, artillery, and other implements used during the 9th Century. Weaving these aspects of history into fiction allows readers to want to put themselves into the story; see ancient Ibiza through the characters' eyes. This breathes life into the story and the characters.
The mysterious island of Es Vedra is my chosen exile Island for my mistress character, Azizah. Many strange occurrences have been reported on this island which is the reason why I have added a special element to the story. You will know it when you read it! ;) Legend has it, Es Vedra is the upturned sunken lost city of Atlantis.
I am looking forward to learning more about the culture of Ibiza as I continue to write and develop my characters around the history of the Island. it is an amazing experience so far, and hopefully I can travel to Ibiza one day and see it in all it's ancient, majestic, exotic beauty that my characters saw 900 hundred years ago!
Stay tuned for next week's installment- Breathing Life Into My Characters!
Historical references: http://www.ibizaspotlight.com/ibizamagic/history_i.htm
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