The Face of Ibiza - architect and artist Erwin Broner's home in Casa Broner

Painter and architect Erwin Broner’s (Munich 1898 – Kreuth 1971) self-designed and constructed house can be visited in its original condition, including furniture, as a mini-museum somewhat isolated and unreal in Dalt Villa, Ibiza.

The son of wealthy parents came to Ibiza for the first time in 1934 – fleeing from the Nazis, due to his Jewish heritage. He was part of a group that was founded in 1959. Ibiza59 organised exhibitions until it disbanded again in 1964.

His simple architecture combines traditional Ibizian architecture with modern elements – naturally coated in the slick style of the 1960s. All in all, he 'gave' the island approximately fifty buildings and hence still is, decades after his death, the pivotal style factor when it comes to the Mediterranean island's look.

His last wife, Gisela Broner, resided in the house until she died in 2005. She bequeathed the house to the city of Ibiza. It is now a listed building, a culturally and historically valuable house and is owned by the Broner-fund, which is dedicated to spreading the artist's work and other cultural activities.

The small but very practical building sports two levels and one garden – as well as a legendary vista. The first level features a large window front that goes out to the sea and was intended as a living space, while the lower level was supposed to be the work area. In order to give both areas their individual entry point, the architect constructed a small, but rather impressive footbridge across the cliffs on which the house was built.

On the terrace, Erwin built a rather original privacy shield for himself and his wife – a rather practical invention for the creedal nudists. Nowadays, the shield more or less serves to avoid having to look at the poor and run-down Sa Panya quarter, the former fishing quarter. Squatters, junkies, dealers, the neighbourhood has room to improve that’s for sure.

Multi-talent Erwin also worked as a DOP for ALICE IN WONDERLAND, a competing feature that had been heavily opposed by Disney in its day and became a kind of open secret amongst cinema fans. Click here to look at a selection of images for the mood board.


Casa Broner
Opening Times
From May to September: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 1.30pm, Tuesday to Friday from 5pm to 8pm

From October to April: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 1.30pm;
Tuesday to Friday 4pm to 6pm

Free Entry

Carreró de Sa Penya 15
Eivissa / Ibiza