The name Menorca comes from
"menor"which means
littler, and the Romans gave
this charming island this
name because Menorca is smaller
than neighbouring Mallorca.
The island has 8 towns, the
largest being its capital,
Mahon.
The population
of Menorca is 80,000, although this can increase dramatically in high season.
Menorca has a survace area of 694.39 km². The official languages are Spanish
and Menorquín, the local dialect of Catalan. Some adaptations of
English words - such as "grevy" (gravy) or "bótil"
(bottle) are widely used as a result of the years during which Menorca was under
British rule.
History of Menorca
Like Mallorca, the first
period to leave its important mark on Menorca was the Bronze Age, during the so-called
"talayótic" period. Later Menorca was occupied by Phoenicians,
Greeks, Megalithic, Roman, Vandal, Byzantine and the Moors. The Island was liberated
(rather brutally it must be said) from the Moors by Alfonso III on 17th January
1287, and even today the 17th of January is Menorca's local fiesta day. A
few years after the reconquista, it became part of the "Kingdom of
Mallorca" under Jaime II until Pedro el Ceremonioso gained control
of the Island from the successor of the previous King, Jaime III. This was the
beginning of the most unremarkable and untidy period in Menorca's history, as
many fled the island, weary of the constant fighting between the aristocracy and
the locals. In 1708 Menorca fell under British rule, and remained so, except
for a brief time under French rule, until the beginning of the 19th century when
it was recovered by the Spanish army. The years of British occupation left their
mark, not only on the menorquín dialect, but also on local customs
and arquitecture.  Mahon,
capital of Menorca
Mahon has been the administrative capital city of
Menorca ever since the island fell under British occupation in the 18th century.
The main natural feature of this city - and the principal reason why it proved
so attractive to foreign armies - is its incredible natural harbour, sheltered
from the fierce storms which sometimes blow over Minorca. It is considered to
be the best natural harbour in the Mediterranean and one of the best in the World. What
to see in Mahon:
- Museo de Menorca:
Museum set in an 18th-century
convent with impressive
exhibitions of objects from
the prehistoric period.
- Iglesia de Santa María:
Impressive church with enormous
19th-century organ with
4 keyboards and 3,120 tubes.
- Ayuntamiento: Neoclassical
façade. Visitors
can still see the clock
which was brought to Menorca
by the British governor
Richard Kane
- Bastión de Sant
Roc: This 14th century
gate to the city is the
only thing left of the medieval
wall which used to surround
Mahon.
- Fornàs de Torrelló:
Small 6th century church
with a mosaic floor
- Talatí de Dalt:
4km along the road to Ciutadella
from Mahon. This fascinating
talayotic settlement conserves
many prehistoric remains
including a taula, natural
caves and a talayot.
Hotels
in Menorca - click on link. Restaurants in Menorca: Ca
N'Aguedet in Es Mercadal, possibly the best restaurant on the Island, serves
traditional dishes and home-made wine; Villa Madrid in Sant Lluís,
set in a beautiful 19th-century villa, mostly traditional but some creative dishes;
Café Balear in Ciutadella, traditional Menorcan dishes, excellent
rice dishes; Cas Ferrer de sa Font in Ciutadella, contemporary and traditional
cuisine; Es Molí de Foc in Sant Climent, traditional cooking at
its best, try their mar
y montaña dish, a delicious king prawn and chicken casserole; Es
Fosquet in Moll de Llevant, modest restaurant-bar serving creative tapas and
wonderfully fresh fish. Tapas bars in Menorca: La Morada in Mahon,
widely considered by locals to be the best tapas bar in the capital city; Sa
Vinya in Castell, creative tapas similar new tapas bars which have appeared
in Barcelona in recent years; La
Rueda in Sant Lluis, very popular typical Menorcan village bar-restaurant,
traditional tapas and rice dishes; Es Cranc in Fornells, another very popular
bar-restaurant serving tapas and fish rice dishes. Ciutadella
de Menorca Until British occupation of the island, Ciutadella was
the capital city of Menorca, and the historic significance of this city is evident
from its beautiful buildings in the old quarter of the city which has been declared
a National Historical-artistic Monument. The local fiestas of San Joan are famous
all over Spain, and some of Menorca's loveliest beaches are close by. What
to see in Ciutadella:  The
Cathedral of Menorca: 14th century gothic cathedral which was built on the
site of a former mosque.
Municipal Museum of Ciutadella des Bastió
de sa Font - a 17th century building with an impressive collection of prehistoric
objects. The old quarter: Winding streets full of the city's Moor
and Medieval history. Of special interest, La Plaza del Borne, Plaza
de Alfonso III and Plaza de la Catedral. Canteras de s'Hostal:
Amazing maze (see photo) used to stage theatrical performances and concerts. Where
else to go in Menorca - Alaior, with 7,000 this medieval town
is the third most important town on the Island of Menorca. Founded in the 14th
century by Jaume I, it has attractive winding streets. Famous for producing Menorca's
well-known chees, Queso de Mahón.
- Es Mercadal, small
town lying at the feet of Mount Toro, with just 3,532 inhabitants. Famous for
its thriving leather industry. Nearby beaches worth visiting include Na Macaret,
Arenal d'en Castell, Cala Tirant and Cala Pregonda.
- Fornells, typical
picturesque Menorcan fishing village. The sheltered bay nearby makes it popular
with windsurfers, especially beginners. Visit Cueva de Na Polida, beautiful caves
famous for their spectacular stalactites.
- Es Migjorn, very well
conserved village, founded during the British occupation of Menorca.
- Santo
Tomás, beautiful beach which so far has retained its charm despite
the rapidly-growing tourist developments which are being built around.
- Son
Bou, popular with tourists. Menorca's longest beach (3 km) and all sorts of
facilities typical of a thriving holiday resort
- Cap de Penyes,
the headland next to Son Bou where the original settlement was build in the 5th
century. Visit the caves which were homes to the first settlers of this area,
the remains of a fortified talayotic village and at the foot of the cliffs, the
remains of an early Christian basilica.
Beaches in Menorca. Menorca's
great attraction is its outstanding beaches and small sandy coves hidden from
view. The following are considered to be the most beautiful:
Ciutadella: Arenal de Son Saura, Algaiarens, Cala del Pilar, La Vall, Cala
Morell, Cala Blanca, Cala Bosch.
Es Mercadal: Ferragut, Cala Tirant,
Cala Pregonda
(Cavalleria), Es Mercadal
Ferreries: Cala Mitjana
Es
Migjorn: Cala Trebaluger
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