{"id":12155,"date":"2014-03-11T12:30:11","date_gmt":"2014-03-11T11:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.descobreixmenorca.com\/?page_id=12155"},"modified":"2025-12-20T14:17:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T13:17:22","slug":"illa-del-rei","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.descobreixmenorca.com\/en\/british-menorca\/illa-del-rei\/","title":{"rendered":"Illa del Rei, from military hospital to art center"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\r\n

\"Illa
The Illa del Rei<\/em> is in the middle of Ma\u00f3 harbour \u00a9 Hauser & Wirth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Illa del Rei, <\/em>from military hospital to art center<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n

On the Illa del Rei<\/em>, located in the middle of Ma\u00f3 harbour, is the military hospital built during the British domination of the 18th century. We also find the remains of a Paleo-Christian basilica and, recently, it has been the site chosen to install the Hauser & Wirth art center in Menorca.<\/h2>\r\n

Illa del Rei<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\r\n

The island, also known as The Bloody Island, is in the middle of the Ma\u00f3 harbour, between Ma\u00f3<\/b> and Es Castell<\/b> villages. Its name comes from the legend that Alfonso II of Catalonia and III of Arag\u00f3n \u2013 known as \u201cThe Liberal\u201d \u2013 came ashore here for the first time when he took Menorca from the Muslims in 1287. The island has two very interesting architectural sites: the remains of the Early Christian era basilica, which once contained a mosaic now preserved in the Museum of Menorca, and the old military hospital.<\/p>\r\n

\"The
The Illa del Rei \u00a9 Fundaci\u00f3 Dest\u00ed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Built by the British, the old military hospital was based here from the 18th century up until the 1960s. It occupies a large part of the island and stands on its highest point. It is a U-shaped building that faces east. It was abandoned in 1964 when the new military hospital was built in the city of Ma\u00f3.<\/p>\r\n

\"Hospital
Apart from recovering the old building of the military hospital on the island, the garden of medicinal plants has also been recovered.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

In those days, the hospital had 40 patient wards, various rooms for doctors, nurses and other hospital staff plus all the services required for running a hospital, including laundry, pharmacy and kitchens, as well as three water tanks and bathing facilities. In 1784, the Spanish built a chapel dedicated to Sant Carles.<\/p>\r\n

\"Illa
The Illa del Rei<\/em> is in the middle of Port Mah\u00f3n \u00a9 Hauser & Wirth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Hauser & Wirth Gallery<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

On the Illa del Rei<\/em> there is a delegation from the prestigious Hauser & Wirth<\/strong> art galleries, completing the set of history and nature that the islet offers with the contemporary art of its exhibitions.<\/p>\r\n

Hauser & Wirth<\/strong> on Illa del Rei<\/em> is an art center whose purpose is to create spaces where you can enjoy works of art in contact with nature, gastronomy and the history of Menorca. The space has the restaurant Cantina, where you can enjoy <\/span>seasonal sharing plates of vegetables, seafood, fish and grilled meat, as well as a great selection of wines.<\/p>\r\n

To get to Illa del Rei<\/em> you must take the Yellow Catamaran. During the tourist season, makes trips to the islet periodically from Ma\u00f3.<\/p>\r\n

\"Hauser
Hauser & Wirth has found in the Illa del Rei<\/em> an incomparable setting for its international art center in Menorca \u00a9 Hauser & Wirth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

How to get there, prices and opening times<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

May 11 \u2013 June 5<\/strong><\/span>
Every day<\/strong>
From 10 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m.
(Cantina until 4:30 p.m.)<\/p>\r\n

Ferry from the port of Ma\u00f3 at Moll de Levante, 61<\/strong>
Every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\r\n

Ferry from Illa del Rei<\/strong>
Every hour from 11:30 a.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\r\n

June 6 \u2013 September 7<\/strong><\/span>
Every day<\/strong>
From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(Cantina until 11:30 p.m.)<\/p>\r\n

Ferry from the port of Ma\u00f3 at Moll de Levante, 61<\/strong>
Every hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.<\/p>\r\n

Ferry from Illa del Rei<\/strong>
Every hour from 12:30 \u2013 11:30 p.m.<\/p>\r\n

September 11 \u2013 October 27<\/strong><\/span>
From Wednesday to Sunday<\/strong>
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Cantina until 4:30 p.m.)<\/p>\r\n

Ferry from the port of Ma\u00f3 at Moll de Levante, 61<\/strong>
Every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.<\/p>\r\n

Ferry from Illa del Rei<\/strong>
Every hour from 11:30 a.m. \u2013 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\r\n

Ferry ticket price<\/h3>\r\n

\u20ac10 per person
\u20ac5 for children under 18 years old
Free for children under 3 years old
Round trip (open return)<\/p>\r\n

Bookings<\/h3>\r\n

\u2022 Book the ferry to visit the art center Hauser & Wirth and naval hospital, eat seasonal food at Cantina and join its activities.<\/a>
<\/strong>\u2022<\/strong> Guided tour of the naval hospital. Check schedules and reservations.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n

More information<\/span>:<\/span><\/strong> +34 871 01 00 20<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Nearby sites of interest<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

\u2022<\/strong><\/span> Fort Marlborough: <\/strong><\/span>Fortress carved out of the bare rock by the English between 1710 and 1726 to defend the castle of Sant Felip. Open to the public. Tel.: 971 360 462.
<\/span>\u2022<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Saint Philip’s Castle: <\/strong><\/span>Remains of what was once one of the most important fortifications in the Mediterranean. Started by the Spanish in 1555 and enlarged by the English during their first period of domination (1708-1756). Charles III, after conquering Menorca in 1782, ordered it to be destroyed. Open to the public. Tel.: 971 362 100. More information<\/a>.
<\/span>\u2022<\/b><\/span>\u00a0Calesfonts:<\/span>\u00a0<\/b>Old fishing village belonging to Es Castell<\/b>, where the old warehouses have been turned into bars and restaurants.<\/p>\r\n

Map Illa del Rei<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n