When people think of Ibiza, they often picture the island’s vibrant nightlife, sun-soaked beaches, and world-renowned parties. At Can Frare, a traditional Ibizan finca, we invite you to look beyond the beaches and nightlife—to the ancient dry stone walls that shaped this land. These walls aren’t just boundaries—they’re the backbone of the land and a testament to generations of care.
At Can Frare, a traditional Ibizan finca, these ancient dry stone walls are more than boundaries—they’re part of the island’s heritage.
Without these walls, the land surrounding Can Frare would be unrecognisable. The steep hillsides of our estate—like much of Ibiza—were transformed into fertile terraces through the painstaking art of dry stone walling. These terraces, a hallmark of sustainable building techniques in Ibiza, slow down water runoff, prevent soil erosion, and create flat patches of deep, rich earth, perfect for growing crops. Think of the terraces in Nepal or Bali, and you’ll understand how these ancient techniques allowed our forebears to make the most of every inch of land.
“A man’s got to eat”—but first, here in Ibiza, he’s got to move a thousand rocks!
Dry stone walling isn’t just practical—it’s an art form. It involves nothing but the stones themselves, carefully balanced and placed without mortar or cement. Large, front-facing stones anchor the structure, while smaller rocks fill the gaps, creating a stable, enduring wall. When well-constructed, a dry stone wall in Ibiza can stay in place for hundreds of years.
This work isn’t easy. Imagine moving each heavy rock by hand, without machinery—a skill passed down through generations at this authentic farmhouse in Ibiza, Can Frare.
We have over one kilometer of Ibiza’s traditional dry stone walls on our estate. Think about that—a kilometre of walls, each stone laid by hand over generations. It’s an extraordinary feat of endurance and dedication.
Dry stone walling isn’t just practical—it’s an art form. It involves nothing but the stones themselves, carefully balanced and placed without mortar or cement. Large, front-facing stones anchor the structure, while smaller rocks fill the gaps, creating a stable, enduring wall. When well-constructed, a dry stone wall in Ibiza can stay in place for hundreds of years.
This work isn’t easy. Imagine moving each heavy rock by hand, without machinery—a skill passed down through generations at this authentic farmhouse in Ibiza, Can Frare.
We have over one kilometer of Ibiza’s traditional dry stone walls on our estate. Think about that—a kilometre of walls, each stone laid by hand over generations. It’s an extraordinary feat of endurance and dedication.
Dry stone walling wasn’t just a skill—it was a way of life, passed down from one generation to the next. Everyone knew how to repair a wall. Toni Prats Prats, the current owner of Can Frare, was taught by his father when he was just a boy. My fathers advice was always
“Don’t just build for today. Build it as if your grandchildren will lean against this wall one day.”
Walls are constantly exposed to the elements, and water damage can cause sections to collapse. Repairing them was a communal effort, with neighbours coming together to lift the heaviest stones.
Understanding the sheer effort it took to build these walls gives us a profound respect for those who came before us. When we rebuilt a 50-meter stretch, we had the stones delivered by truck—a luxury our ancestors didn’t have. They picked each stone out by hand, often involving the whole community, as some stones required many hands to move.
When you visit Can Frare, take a leisurely 20-minute stroll around this historic finca. As you walk, imagine the generations of families who built and maintained these walls, adding a little more with each passing year as their families grew.
Learn more about the history and heritage of this traditional Ibizan finca here.
There’s a certain joy in dry stone walling. Its like a “dialogue with the stones,” finding the perfect balance between the rocks. It’s a creative, absorbing process—a three-dimensional puzzle that’s both challenging and rewarding. Winston Churchill famously found joy in bricklaying, but dry stone walling offers an even more intricate, creative challenge!
It may sound perverse, but we would be delighted to arrange a private masterclass with skilled dry stone wallers right here at Can Frare. It’s a hands-on, creative experience that connects you to centuries of craftsmanship—and by the end, you’ll leave your mark on a wall that will stand for generations to come.
At Can Frare, the walls don’t just hold the land—they hold the stories of those who came before, and those yet to come.
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