Torre d’en Galmés megalithic village
Torre d’en Galmés is one of the largest Talayotic sites in the Balearic Islands and is well worth a longish, unhurried visit to ensure that you appreciate all its finer points.
It is situated on small rise in the ground from where it dominates much of the southern coast of Menorca. On clear days the island of Mallorca also hoves into view. On the highest part of the site stands the communal part, which consists of three talaiots and the taula enclosure with its capital fallen to the ground. The site runs towards the southern side of the hill, where the private dwellings are found. These buildings are circular, with rooms leading off a central courtyard and an underground water cistern. In one of these houses there is a hypostyle room, a semi-detached room whose roof is supported on columns that are wider at the top than at the base.
How to get there
Torre d’en Galmés is just over 5 km south of Alaior and can be reached along the road to Son Bou. If you come from the main Maó-Ciutadella road, there is no need to enter Alaior and you should simply take the turn-off signposted to Son Bou. Follow this road for 3.5 km towards Son Bou and you will see the Camí de Torre d’en Galmés signposted to the left. In 2 km and just after the right turn marked Camí de Sant Llorenç, you come to the entrance to the site.
There is no public transport to the Torre d’en Galmés prehistoric village.
Prices, services and opening times
Prices
• Consult prices of the visit to the Torre d’en Galmés prehistoric village
Opening times
• Consult visiting hours at the Torre d’en Galmés megalithic village according to season at this link
Services
• A part of the site is apt for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
• During the visits, you will find numerous picnic tables that are excellent places to just sit and enjoy the surroundings.
Nearby sites of interest
• Son Bou wetland: this is one of Menorca’s main wetlands and a must for birdwatchers and nature-lovers in general. It is located between the beach and the resort of Son Bou.
• Son Bou paleo-christian church: Remains of a rectangular church with three naves separated by pillars that is thought to have been built in the 5th century. It stands at the far eastern end of the beach of Son Bou, just a few meters from the sea.
• Torralba d’en Salort: Talaiotic settlement with one of the largest and best-conserved taules in Menorca. Here there are also two talaiots, a hypostyle room, a number of caves excavated in the bedrock and a section of rubble-filled wall. It is 4.5 km south of Alaior on the way to Cala en Porter. More information about Torralba d’en Salort megalithic monument.
Map of Torre d’en Galmés
See the map Cultura talaiòtica in Google Maps
The Talayotic culture refer to the customs and skills of the pre-historic inhabitants of the Balearic Islands up to the Roman conquest (123 BC). Most of the archaeological remains that have been excavated –of which most are on Menorca – correspond to the so-called Talaiotic culture that can be dated from around 1,000 BC.
The Naveta des Tudons is a pre-Talayotic funeral building in use from 1200 to 750 BC. It consists of a collective tomb that was found to contain the remains of at least 100 graves…
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Torre d’en Galmés is one of the largest Talayotic sites in the Balearic Islands and is well worth a longish, unhurried visit to ensure that you appreciate all its finer points.
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