Cala Morell necropolis
A group of 14 burial chambers hewn from the bare rock that were used from the pre-Talayotic period up to the second century AD.
This spectacular necropolis with 14 burial chambers hewn from the bare rock is to be found in a small gully just before Cala Morell to the north of Ciutadella. This cemetery was active from the pre-Talayotic period up to the second century AD. These caves are architecturally fascinating, having interior columns (some with capitals), windows, apses, floors of different levels and front yards. One even has a façade decorated with classically designed columns in relief sculpted from the bare rock that reflect the influences of classical architecture during the final centuries of the Talayotic culture. Between the caves you can also visit the popularly capades de moro, oval-shaped cavities cut in the rock, which may have been used for rituals and may have contained offerings, funeral urns or torches. A visit to this pre-historic cemetery, hidden away in a gully choked full of junipers, pines and wild olives, is a truly memorable experience.
• There is unlimited and free access to the site.
How to get there
The Cala Morell necropolis is 9 km north of Ciutadella. From the town’s northern ring-road, take the road to Cala Morell. In 6 km, ignore the road off to Algaiarens on the right; in a further 2.5 km you will reach the residential area of Cala Morell. Turn left and before reaching the beach you will find a small car park and the entrance to the necropolis.
During the high season, a bus runs from Ciutadella to Cala Morell. Check out bus times and frequencies (that vary according to the season).
Virtual view of Cala Morell necropolis
Map of Cala Morell necropolis
See the map of Cultura talaiòtica in Google Maps
Nearby sites of interest
• Camí de Cavalls: Cala Morell is the starting point of the stage Cala Morell – Punta Nati of the Camí de Cavalls. From the necropolis the marked path towards Punta Nati takes you to the nearby sea cliffs. A highly recommendable walk.
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…
This spectacular necropolis with 14 burial chambers hewn from the bare rock is to be found in a small gully just before Cala Morell to the north of Ciutadella.
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