The Naveta des Tudons is the most emblematic megalithic monument of Menorca. Is a pre-Talaiotic funeral building in use from 1200 to 750 BC. The name naveta’– or ‘little boat’ in Catalan – comes from the fact that this building resembles an upside-down boat.
The Naveta des Tudons is a pre-Talaiotic funeral building in use from 1200 to 750 BC. It consists of a collective tomb that, when it was excavated and restored in the 1950s, was found to contain the remains of at least 100 graves with their respective funerary belongings (bronze bracelets, bone buttons and pottery). Its walls are rubble-filled and consist of massive stones placed together without mortar. Inside there are two chambers. The small access leads on to a small passageway that connects to an upper chamber and to a second door, which leads to the lower chamber. The intermediate floor and the roof are built out of large flagstones that act as supporting beams. The name naveta’– or ‘little boat’ in Catalan – comes from the fact that this building resembles an upside-down boat. It is one of the most famous monuments on Menorca and as such has become one of the island’s cultural icons and is visited by many tourists during the year. To ensure visitors’ safety and the conservation of the monument, you are not allowed to entre the Naveta itself.
The naveta dels Tudons, from the air. Menorcaaldia.
How to get there
The Naveta des Tudons is 5 km from Ciutadella. There is a car park at kilometre 40 next to the main Maó-Ciutadella road. A short walk between the fields takes you to the monument.
There is no public transport to the Naveta des Tudons
Prices and opening times
Prices
• General admission fee: 2 € (Mondays free)
• Reduced fee: Seniors over 65, young people (8 to 15 years old) and groups (min. 10 people): 1.20 € (Mondays free)
• Free entry: Children under 8 yers old, Mondays and tourist guides
• Entrance free: From November to before Easter
Opening times
• Consult visiting hours at the Naveta des Tudons according to season at this link.
More information: (34) 971 368 678
Nearby sites of interest
• Torretrencada: Talaiotic settlement, little known and well-hidden. Its main attraction is its taula that, although lacking its enclosing walls, is interesting for the lateral column that provides support. More information about Torretrencada megalithic monument.
• Torrellafuda: Small Talaiotic site with unrestricted access that stands in a shady old wild-olive grove. Here you can admire a talaiot, an enclosed taula with the remains of a number of private dwellings and the rubble-filled wall that once encircled the site. More information about Torrellafuda megalithic monument.
Map of Naveta des Tudons
See the map Menorca talaiòtica in Google Maps
See all the megalithic monuments
The best megalithic monuments of Menorca
-
The Talaiotic 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. -
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. -
Torre d’en Galmés is one of the largest Talaiotic sites in the Balearic Islands and is well worth a longish, unhurried visit to ensure that you appreciate all its finer points. -
Torrellafuda is a small Talaiotic site with unrestricted access that stands in a shady old wild-olive grove. You will find the remains as soon as you begin to walk along the access track. -
A visit to the Talaiotic settlement of Talatí de Dalt, which blends in so harmoniously with its surroundings, is always a memorable experience.
-
The site of Son Catlar is of great interest as the only Talaiotic settlement in the Balearic Islands whose surrounding cyclopean wall is all but intact. -
Despite being somewhat hidden-away and smaller than other Menorcan sites, the Talaiotic settlement of Torretrencada is still well worth a visit. -
Torralba d’en Salort is remarkable for its enormous taula and its enclosure. This taula is one of the largest on Menorca and is perfectly preserved. -
Covering 5,000 m2, Trepucó is one of the largest Talaiotic sites in Menorca, even although only a small part of the original settlement has been preserved.
Leave a Reply