Green Heart

The green heart surrounded by a yellow frame that people have speculated about over the past couple of years can at last be explained. Seen on cars all over the island, it has for some time now acquired cult status. No matter whether the car be an old Renault R4, or a luxury four-wheel-drive or a Mini - Ibiza 's "greenheart" is ubiquitous. It demonstrates that the owner of the car has probably been to Casita Verde in the lovely San Jose valley, the home of the "greenheart". The Casita Verde is a research project and has also developed into a stimulating meeting point for unusual, but relaxing afternoons.

Whatever it is, it is environmentally friendly and organic. This does not mean that it conforms at all to the Common belief that organic means poor in taste, flavour or colour. The Casita Verde is a living research project, and volunteers work in it to develop and exhibit healthy and ecological alternatives to conventional methods and products in all areas of life, and easily practicable for everybody. Imitation is expressly desired, plagiarisms are welcome, from everybody, and to any extent. But even if one does not go to be inspired, the mere experience of being there, of discovery, of listening, testing, meeting nice people, or simply spending some relaxing time is excellent reason to pay a visit to the Casita Verde. The more so since it is free. Visitors are part of the whole set-up. The idea is that visitors leave a donation for what they consume, and a little extra on top, according to how much they liked what they found. Weekdays are reserved for visitors who have made a booking for the Casita Verde project, but every Sunday from 2 pm , the finca opens its doors to everybody who is simply interested. Situated in a picturesque setting in the hills between Eivissa, Sant Josep and Sant Raphael it is a constant temptation to all who are keen on natural surroundings or simply want to see something different for a change. It starts with a well-stocked organic (and extremely tasty) buffet: there are salads, pizza, paella and lots of other delicacies and while you're having lunch on the terrace in the garden, the kiddies can explore the many facilities for playing in the grounds. Yet all under their parents' watchful eyes.

It all began in 1996. There was nothing here except the old finca and a lot of land around it. The Casita Verde was founded as a registered charity and gradually grew into the present life-style project. It demonstrates how to cut back on consumption of electricity, gas and water. Students and volunteers from all over the world work here, contribute to the ongoing developments, and learn a lot in the process. In return they are given board and lodging. The Casita Verde is changing constantly as extra bits are added to it continuously, but with exclusively ecological or recycled materials. This explains the presence of buildings made from bottles and cans and of an ecological toilet, a house with a tree in it, a house with a limekiln, an open-air kitchen and a chill-out place. There are also ingenious irrigation systems and a solar heating system made from an old refrigerator and solar-active stones, which has already been imitated elsewhere. The main building and its outhouses look more like open-air works of art or sculptures than ecological buildings. It goes to prove that sensible need not mean ugly. Scores of volunteers were their architects and builders and they put in an enormous amount of imagination, devotion and creativity.

Even in springtime there are often more than 100 visitors on a Sunday. Even so, there is no feeling of crowdedness - the grounds are too large for that. A first-time visitor can scarcely absorb the enormous range of carefully combined details surrounding this small old finca. The entrance is formed by a gateway made from palm leaves under the "greenheart"- the Casita Verde's symbol. Behind it the Casita Wonderland begins. There is a breath-taking panorama of fields, woods and meadows extending all the way to Sant Antoni where it fades into the blue sea and the infinity of the horizon. There is a garden full of bars and little huts, there are delicious foods, children's playgrounds, quiet corners where one can sit, or have a cuddle, and the splendid, fairy-tale like biblioteca with its open fireplace and thousands of colourful bottles sticking out of the red sand walls: bottles replacing bricks. "Strictly speaking, this isn't a house but a giant bottle-bank," says Chris the man behind the concept.

There are frequently musicians among the visitors, who after their wholesome and satisfying lunch grab their instruments and play. On such occasions the chill-out places or the hammocks are ideal to listen, watch and enjoy oneself

"With a properly developed sensibility for the environment you find that you can do a lot to help preserve natural conditions, without suffering a diminution in your quality of life. Nobody can expect us to re-invent our lives completely, but we must learn to live with our natural surroundings, before they disappear for good." The Casita Verde shows how this can be done - and its visitors like what they see.

It is only when the light fails in the gathering dusk that the music ceases and a peaceful silence descends on La Casita Verde - which holds so many ideas in store for Ibiza .

For more information contact:

Chris Dews, Ibiza Eco Logic

Telephone: +00 (34) 971 18 73 53

Mobile : 00 (34) 608 83 81 90