The British presence in Menorca lasted for almost the entire 18th century in three consecutive periods, from 1708 to 1802, the year the island was returned to the Spanish crown. From this era, a magnificent architectural legacy remains in the form of defensive military structures that dot the island’s coastline.
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 island, also known as The Bloody Island, is in the middle of the Maó harbour, between Maó and Es Castell villages, where we find the old military hospital built by the British during their domination.
Fortress carved out of the bare rock by the English between 1710 and 1726 to defend the castle of Sant Felip, stands on the southern side of the entrance to Maó harbour, in the cove Cala de Sant Esteve.
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…
Sant Felip Castle stands on the southern side of the entrance to Maó harbour. Over the course of successive British occupations the castle was extended until the Spanish siege in 1782.
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 Talayotic sites in the Balearic Islands and is well worth a longish, unhurried visit to ensure that you appreciate all its finer points.
A coastal defence tower built by the British in the early 19th century to guard the entrance to Fornells harbour and protect the nearby Sant Antoni Castle
Torrellafuda is a small Talayotic 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 Talayotic 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 Talayotic 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 Talayotic 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 Talayotic sites in Menorca, even although only a small part of the original settlement has been preserved.