INTRODUCTION The inclusion of Menorca under British sovereignty made a deep and lasting impression on the island, leaving a wealth of indelible cultural signs such as the numerous English words that blended into the Menorcan language, architectural styles still in evidence today, culinary dishes, children's games, dances and so on. The “boinders” or bow windows and the typical sash windows can still be seen on many houses in Menorca. The British also brought their own period style furniture, including Queen Anne, Chippendale and some Sheraton pieces, all of which were later copied by local cabinet-makers. Menorca gin, made by artisans in Maó by distilling juniper berries and wine vinegar, was first introduced by the British, who also imported their distinctive culinary preferences.Traditional puddings became known as “greixera dolça” and “brou de xenc” can trace its origins back to English beef stock. Gravy was known locally as “grevi” and “manteca inglesa” or English butter features in many Menorca recipes, and the delicious “piquéis” are pickled gherkins and capers. Children still play “mérvels” – marbles – and tell “joques” – jokes – and chase each other shouting “fáitim” – “fight him”.

CHAPTER 2TOWERS AND DEFENCES

3

SANT FELIP CASTLE

4

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned by: Ministry of Defence

Managed by: Consorcio del Museo Militar de Menorca y Patrimonio

(Consortium of the Military Museum of Menorca and Historic

Military Heritage)

Telephone: 971 362 100

Website: www.museomilitarmenorca.com

Location: Carretera Sant Felip s/n

Town: Es Castell

€

39º51’57,44’’ N 4º18’19,61’’ E

SANT FELIP CASTLE

5

Sant Felip Castle stands on the southern side of the entrance to Maó

harbour and was built in the mid-16th century in a layout designed by

Italian engineer Giovanni Battista Calvi. Over the course of successive

British occupations the castle was extended until the Spanish siege in

1782 forced the British to surrender and Spain recovered sovereignty

over the island under the Treaty of Amiens. The castle was then

demolished on the orders of King Carlos III.

Remains of the castle still survive on the surface, but the most

impressive sights are to be found underneath the site, where several

levels of underground passageways were dug by the Spanish and

British over the course of various occupations.

SANT FELIP CASTLE

6

For Menorca, the castle is more than an old fortress, it bears witness

to nearly two and a half centuries of turbulent history. Visitors can get

a really good idea of the scale of human endeavour undertaken in the

16th, 17th and 18th centuries to produce this extensive labyrinth of

underground galleries, where three thousand English soldiers and

civilians took refuge for six months during the Spanish conquest of

1782.

Its location on the southern side of the entrance to Maó harbour gives

Sant Felip Castle a commanding position over this wide bay, which was

a strategic link in Spanish communications with Italy in the 16th and

17th centuries, and later a British naval stronghold supporting

Gibraltar.

SANT FELIP CASTLE

7

SANT FELIP CASTLE

8

FORT MARLBOROUGH

PHOTO: CISCO MOLL

9

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned by: Consell Insular de Menorca (Government of Menorca)

Managed by: Fundació Destí Menorca

Telephone: 902 92 90 15

Website: www.menorca.es

Location: Cove Cala de Sant Esteve

Town: Es Castell

€

39º51’47,69’’ N 4º18’05,67’’ E

FORT MARLBOROUGH

10

The fort stands on the southern side of the entrance to Maó harbour,

in the cove Cala de Sant Esteve, and was built by the British between

1720 and 1726. It owes its name to Sir John Churchill, Duke of

Marlborough, the most outstanding British General of the time.

Together with Sant Felip Castle and the Stuart Tower, or En Penjat

Tower, its role was to protect the entrance to the port of Maó. In 1782

the fort was partially destroyed by the Spanish and had to be rebuilt,

with a few modifications, during the last period of British rule

(1798-1802).

It is a small fort, with a heptagonal central enclosure that was once

equipped with several artillery guns for defending against possible

enemy attack. The fort was built over a large pit with a counterscarp

gallery excavated out of the bedrock. The upper level provides

exceptional views over the historic area of Maó harbour, undoubtedly

one of the most coveted in the western Mediterranean by foreign

powers.

FORT MARLBOROUGH

11

Nowadays, the fort houses an exhibition that uses the latest

technology to take visitors back to the time when Fort Marlborough

was under siege and to describe the history of both Menorca and

Europe throughout the upheavals of the 18th century.

FORT MARLBOROUGH

12

FORT MARLBOROUGH

13

FORNELLS TOWER

14

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned by: Consell Insular de Menorca (Government of Menorca)

Managed by: Fundació Destí Menorca

Telephone: 902 92 90 15

Website: www.menorca.es

Location: Punta of Fornells Tower (headland)

Town: Fornells

€

40º03’41,59’’ N 4º07’50,06’’ E

FORNELLS TOWER

15

A coastal defence tower built by the British in the early 19th century

to guard the entrance to Fornells harbour, prevent the enemy coming

ashore and protect the nearby Sant Antoni Castle, which has now

been restored. Watchtowers controlled the local area and were usually

occupied by a small garrison of men ready to repel a potential enemy

invasion.

The truncated cone-shaped tower is one of the largest of its kind on

the island and was built from stone and mortar, while the outer walls

are reinforced with blocks of sandstone. The original entrance door was

on the first floor and was reached by a wooden ladder that could be

pulled up in the event of an attack. The tower has a water tank, storage

for weapons, ammunitions and food, a floor that housed the garrison

and an artillery platform.

FORNELLS TOWER

16

The tower itself was built during the last period of British rule and

bears witness to one of the island’s numerous confrontations with the

outside world. The exhibition is simple and thorough, putting visitors in

an early 19th century context and describing everyday life in the tower

as well as its architectural and defensive features.

FORNELLS TOWER

17

FORNELLS

18

ILLA DEL REI (THE KING'S ISLAND)

19

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned by: Maó City Council

Managed by: Maó City Council and Illa del Rei Foundation

Telephone: 609 161 662

Location: Maó Harbour

Town: Maó

39º53’09,05’’ N 4º17’15,57’’ E

ISLA DEL REY(THE KING'S ISLAND)

20

The island, also known as The Bloody Island, is in the centre of the

harbour, between Maó and Es Castell. Its name comes from the

legend that Alfonso II of Catalonia and III of Aragón – known as “The

Liberal” – 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.

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 Maó.

In those days, the hospital had 40 patient wards, various rooms for

doctors, nurses and other hospital sta! 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 San Carlos.

ISLA DEL REY

21

ISLA DEL REY

22

ES CASTELLAR TOWER

23

TOUR OF THE OUTSIDE

Owned and managed by: Ciutadella Town Council

Telephone: 971 381 050

Website: www.ajciutadella.org

Location: Residential area Sa Caleta

Town: Ciutadella

39º58’50,11’’ N 3º49’54,32’’ E

ES CASTELLAR TOWER

24

Built by the British in 1799, it is known as Es Castellar de Sa Caleta. It

is the most distinctive of all the British-style watchtowers, as it has a

series of defensive features not found in the others. Built from

masonry mortar and entirely covered with sandstone blocks, its shape

is almost cylindrical. The tower is completely surrounded by a ditch

some 6 metres wide and an embankment of loose stones. It stands 8

metres high and the parapet of the terrace juts out from the wall all

the way round. Unlike other towers, it is entered via an underground

passageway in the lower part of the surrounding ditch, so it does not

need protection. The whole ditch could be guarded from the narrow

openings or loopholes set into the wall.

ES CASTELLAR TOWER

25

ES CASTELLAR TOWER

26

LA MOLA TOWER

27

TOUR OF THE OUTSIDE

Owned and managed by: Consorcio del Museo Militar de Menorca y

Patrimonio Histórico Militar

Telephone: 971 362 100

Website: www.museomilitarmenorca.com

Location: Cove Cala Teulera. Carretera La Mola

Town: Maó

39º52’27,84’’ N 4º18’27,53’’ E

LA MOLA TOWER

28

Recently restored, La Mola Tower was built by the British in 1799 and

was at first known as Saint Claire’s Tower. The tower is built from

stone and mortar and the outside is covered with limestone blocks. It

structure is similar to the island’s smaller towers.

In 1801 the towers of Es Freus and Cala Teulera were armed and it was

deemed necessary to have a communicating wall built between them.

Militarily speaking, they would have been used for fending o! an

attack on La Mola and they would have also countered any attack

launched on the access route to Illa del Llatzeret (Llatzeret Island).

The current layout of the tower has the entrance on the lower level,

but this is not the original access route and was added at a later stage.

LA MOLA TOWER

29

EN PENJATTOWER

30

EN PENJAT TOWERNOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Owned and managed by: Consorcio del Museo Militar de Menorca y Patrimonio Histórico Militar

Telephone: 971 362 100Website: www.museomilitarmenorca.com

Location: Cove Cala de Sant EsteveTown: Es Castell

39º51’34,02’’ N 4º18’14,63’’ E

31

A coastal defence tower built in 1798 by orders of General Stuart,

military governor of Menorca. Its purpose was to protect the entrance

to Maó harbour and the immediate vicinity with artillery while Sant

Felip Castle was being completed, providing backup for Fort

Marlborough. It was built on the hill of El Turco or En Penjat (literally,

hangman’s hill) to prevent enemy troops besieging the castle from

disembarking and setting up their siege batteries in cove Cala de Sant

Esteve, which was regarded as a strategic location.

This enabled the three forts (En Penjat Tower, Sant Felip Castle and

Fort Marlborough) to protect each other and defend Maó harbour.

EN PENJAT TOWER

32

ILLA PINTO (PINTO ISLAND)

33

ILLA PINTO(PINTO ISLAND)

NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLICLocation: Naval Base, Maó Harbour

Town: Maó

39º53’36,72’’ N 4º16’11,60’’ E

34

Illa Pinto is part of the naval base built in 1708 to serve the needs of

the British navy. It is an artificial island, filled out by the British in

1798 from an islet, giving it the distinctive shape you see today. More

than fifteen ships were built here between 1786 and 1798, with

shipbuilding activity continuing well into the 19th century. This area

had been used to clean the hulls of vessels belonging to the Dutch and

British fleets since 1708, as it was one of the safest and most sheltered

parts of Maó harbour.

ILLA PINTO (PINTO ISLAND)

35

ILLA PINTO (PINTO ISLAND)

36

RAMBLA TOWER

37

RAMBLA TOWERNOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Location: Albufera des Grau Nature ParkTown: Maó

39º57’46,26’’ N 4º15’54,52’’ E

38

RAMBLA TOWER

39

Built by the British between 1799 and 1802, it is in a very dilapidated

state but its original structure can still be seen. It once had a revolving

cannon on the upper floor. Like Sanitja, the remains of a building that

served as accommodation for the dragoons, or cavalry soldiers.

The tower has not been restored and is potentially unsafe, so it is best

not to venture too close or go inside.

RAMBLA TOWER

40

SA MESQUIDA TOWER

41

SA MESQUIDA TOWERNOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Location: Residential area Sa MesquidaTown: Maó

39º54’50,06’’ N 4º17’10,35’’ E

42

Built by the British in 1799, it occupies a vantage point on top of a

rocky outcrop in the middle of the inlet. Its most remarkable feature is

a specially protected area for surveillance and for repelling a potential

enemy attack from the shore. This protection is reinforced by a higher

than normal parapet, which served as cover for the soldiers, who could

fire their weapons through narrow vertical loopholes.

SA MESQUIDA TOWER

43

SANT FELIPET TOWER

44

SANT FELIPET TOWERNOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Location: Illa del Llatzeret (Llatzeret Island), Maó HarbourTown: Maó

39º52’20,53’’ N 4º18’22,96’’ E

45

In the late 17th century, a small fort was built on the closest point of

Illa del Llatzeret to Maó Harbour. The fort, which had a square tower,

was demolished in 1782 by the Spanish. In 1798, when the British

returned to Menorca, they built the defence tower that still stands

today. Its strategic location enables it to defend the entrance to cove

Cala Teulera and Es Freus. It had three floors: the lower floor housed

the gunpowder magazine, provisions and spares; the second provided

living quarters for the garrison and gave access to the tower, which was

connected to the terrace and the ground floor; and the third floor

consisted of a circular terrace surrounded by a parapet from which

shots were fired.

SANT FELIPET TOWER

46

CALA MOLÍ TOWER

47

CALA MOLÍ TOWERTOUR OF THE OUTSIDE

Location: Addaia HarbourTown: Mercadal

40º00’43,17’’ N 4º12’03,16’’ E

48

The tower stands between cove Cala Molí and Addaia. It was built by

the British between 1798 and 1802 using the same technical design as

the other defence towers. The tower was restored a few years ago, and

restoration work included doing away with the outside observation

area that protected the original entrance door against possible attack.

The tower had space for a revolving cannon, a garrison of eighteen

men and a store for enough supplies, food provisions and gunpowder

to last a month. The first floor was connected to the ground floor by an

opening in the floor.

CALA MOLÍ TOWER

49

SANITJA TOWER

50

SANITJA TOWERTOUR OF THE OUTSIDE

Location: Sanitja HarbourTown: Mercadal

40º04’24,34’’ N 4º05’02,47’’ E

Built by the British in 1800, it stands guard over the natural harbour

of Sanitja. It was built of stone and mortar, with vertical sandstone

bracings, like most of Menorca’s defence towers. This tower is smaller

than the one at Fornells. Unlike the other towers, it has three separate

areas on the ground floor but there is no connection via a stairway with

the first floor, only an opening. The materials used to build the tower

have been eroded away by the elements and the structure is now very

dilapidated and in a state of partial collapse, so it is unwise to get too

close or venture inside.

51

SANITJA TOWER

52

SES SARGANTANES ISLAND TOWER

53

SES SARGANTANES ISLAND TOWER

NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLICLocation: Ses Sargantanes Island, Fornells Harbour

Town: Mercadal

40º02’51,71’’ N 4º08’11,31’’ E

54

Built between 1801 and 1802 by the British as part of a defence plan

for harbours on the north coast. It consists of a round cone-shaped

tower and a bastion. The tower was built using the same techniques as

the other towers. However, the area where the four cannons were

placed was at ground level; the interior follows a di!erent design and

two wings have been added to the tower. On the other side of the

island is an old building that was once the o"cers' mess, with two

water tanks next to it and a channel system for collecting rainwater.

SES SARGANTANES ISLAND TOWER

55

SES SARGANTANES ISLAND TOWER

CHAPTER 3COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE

57

SON BONAVENTURA FARMLAND

58

SON BONAVENTURA FARMLAND

TOUR OF THE OUTSIDEOwned by: Private

Location: Camí d'en KaneTown: Alaior

39º56’24,16’’ N 4º08’50,38’’ E

59

Son Bonaventura, popularly known as S'Albercoc, is on Camí d'en

Kane, near Camí de Loreto and its namesake quarry. The facade is a

fine example of Neo-Palladian architecture. A symmetrical stairway

gives access to Son Bonaventura house, with its three well-defined and

symmetrical sections.

The residence was owned by historian Janet Sloss, who founded The

Buenaventura Press in 1995. She promoted the study of 18th century

foreign invasions of Menorca and published a number of works on the

island’s history, culture and gastronomy.

SON BONAVENTURA FARMLAND

60

SANT ANTONI FARMLAND

61

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: Private

Telephone: 971 361 227 / 610 443 276

Website: www.sanantoniomenorca.com

Location: Sant Antoni farmland. Carretera de La Mola, km 3

Town: Maó

€

39º53’46,76’’ N 4º17’05,55’’ E

SANT ANTONI FARMLAND

62

Sant Antoni is in the northern part of Maó harbour known as “S'Altra

Banda” (the other side). Legend has it that Lord Nelson and Lady

Hamilton conducted their love a!air here in 1800. For this reason,

the residence is also known as The Golden Farm or Nelson’s House.

SANT ANTONI FARMLAND

63

The classic appearance of the facade and its red walls have made the

house an unmistakable architectural feature in the harbour area and it

is often pointed out as an example of Menorca colonial architecture.

The tower on top of the house was used to look out for ships

approaching the harbour and gave enough time to go down and get the

rope ready to moor the vessel at the dock.

SANT ANTONI FARMLAND

64

SANT ANTONI FARMLAND

65

MEDICAL UNIT BUILDING

66

OPEN TO VISITORSLocation: Sant Jordi Street (Municipal Health Centre Building)

Town: Es Castell

39º52’48,46’’ N 4º17’26,87’’ E

MEDICAL UNIT BUILDING

67

This large 18th century building was used for storing provisions. The

lower rectangular section is topped by a barrel vaulted ceiling, and the

upper section has a sloping wooden beamed roof supported by horses.

The front of the building has a gabled facade. Although it may seem a

long way from the colonial town centre designed by Mackellar, the

building is strategically located close to Cales Fonts harbour to make

unloading and storage easier.

MEDICAL UNIT BUILDING

68

SON GRANOT

69

SON GRANOTOPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: PrivateTelephone: 971 355 555

Website: www.songranot.comLocation: Carretera Es Castell - Sant Felip s/n

Town: Es Castell

39º52’19,87’’ N 4º17’36,23’’ E

70

A colonial style rural house that is said to have belonged to Patrick

Mackellar, the architect responsible for designing the town of Es

Castell. Built in 1712, its architectural style and strategic location

makes it the only one of its kind on the island. It has magnificent views

over the entrance to Maó harbour.The estate covers an area of

75,000 m2. Nowadays, Son Granot is a charming rural hotel and

restaurant, with decor harking back to the British era.

SON GRANOT

71

HOTEL DELALMIRANTE

72

HOTEL DEL ALMIRANTEOPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: PrivateTelephone: 971 362 700

Website: www.hoteldelalmirante.comLocation: Carretera Maó - Es Castell

Town: Es Castell

39º53’03,31’’ N 4º16’43,12’’ E

73

Admiral Collingwood took up residence here around 1809; he made it

his land base, as it was only one mile south-east of Maó and

su"ciently far away from crowds and noisy sailors. It is a splendid

colonial style house with views over the harbour, where his ship was

anchored. The house was large and comfortable, with enough rooms to

receive his captains and entertain local politicians. There was a path up

to the top of the cli! and a series of specially excavated rocks led down

to the inlet of El Fonduco, from where his sailors could take him on

board ship with minimum e!ort.

Today, the house is a charming private hotel that still preserves all the

features and changes made during the Admiral’s time. Every week in

summer the owner gives a talk about this historic figure.

HOTEL DEL ALMIRANTE

74

MAÓ CITY COUNCIL CLOCK

75

MAÓ CITY COUNCIL CLOCK

TOUR OF THE OUTSIDEOwned and managed by: Maó City Council

Telephone: 971 369 800 Website: www.ajmao.org

Location: Constitución Square (City Council building)Town: Maó

39º53’22,58’’ N 4º15’51,83’’ E

76

Maó’s city clock was made in London by Mr. Windonill and was

acquired by order of Richard Kane in 1731. In 1788 it was placed on

the front of the City Council building, framed by columns with Ionic

capitals and topped by a bell tower. The clock shows the city's coat of

arms in relief. It is thought to be the very first clock, other than a sun

dial, in the whole of Menorca.

MAÓ CITY COUNCIL CLOCK

77

CHURCH OF LA CONCEPCIÓN

78

CHURCH OF LA CONCEPCIÓN

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: Bishop of Menorca

Location: Cós de Gracia Street

Town: Maó

39º53’08,80’’ N 4º15’47,45’’ E

79

This church, originally dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra, was built

in 1749 by the Greek colony living in Maó during the first British

occupation. It became known in the local community as the “Greeks’

church” as it was used by worshippers from the city’s large Greek

colony who remained faithful to the rites of the Orthodox Church.

They were attracted by increased commercial activity in and around

Maó harbour, a result of e!orts by the British to promote trade.

The most interesting part of the building is its interior, which is unique

in Menorca. The height of the roof in relation to the floor space,

together with the e!ect of natural light on the shadowy areas created

by the central pillars give the inside of the church a spatial quality,

making it one of the most fascinating interiors on the island. The floor

layout is in the shape of a Greek cross and it is decorated in the

Byzantine style.

CHURCH OF LA CONCEPCIÓN

80

After the Greeks and Jews were expelled and their assets confiscated,

including the church of Saint Nicholas of Myra, the building was used

for civic purposes for some years, serving as a gym, theatre and garage.

It was rededicated in 1868 to La Concepción (the Conception), when

Bishop Mateo Jaume decided to open it for Catholic worship. Two

towers were added to the current facade, which is thought to have

been started in 1868, to align the church with the street, but only the

right one was finished.

CHURCH OF LA CONCEPCIÓN

81

MILITARY HEADQUARTERS

82

MILITARY HEADQUARTERSTOUR OF THE OUTSIDE

Owned and managed by: Ministry of DefenceLocation: Isabel II Street

Town: Maó

39º53’24,74’’ N 4º15’46,79’’ E

83

The former King’s house in Maó’s Isabel II Street, converted into the

governor’s palace by the British. From the outside you can see the

small square around which the building is arranged and that still

preserves the distinctive features of the original architecture. Such

features include a porch on the ground floor, which still shows the

buttresses from the old castle, and a gallery running round the first

floor, which is the corridor giving access to all the rooms. Nowadays it

is the headquarters of the armed forces in Menorca.

MILITARY HEADQUARTERS

84

ES CASTELL TOWN COUNCIL

85

ES CASTELL TOWN COUNCIL

TOUR OF THE OUTSIDELocation: Explanada Square

Town: Es Castell

39º52’48,46’’ N 4º17’26,87’’ E

86

This is the central feature of the late 16th century urban layout. It

consists of a large “plaza de armas” (literally “weapons square”)

designed as the heart of the town. It is located at an angle to the

junction between the two main streets, thus breaking a rule of

Baroque town planning and emphasising its military nature; its shape

means that the square is e!ectively separated from the rest of the

town.

The area surrounding the square was inhabited by soldiers’ families,

shop owners and traders, sailors and other people who were connected

in some way or other with the fortress. It was built by the British but

was also used by the Spanish army up to a few decades ago. Today, part

of the barracks is home to Menorca’s Military Museum.

ES CASTELL TOWN COUNCIL

CHAPTER 4MUSEUMS

88

HERNÁNDEZ SANZ-HERNÁNDEZ MORA Museum Collection

89

HERNÁNDEZ SANZ-HERNÁNDEZ MORA

Museum CollectionOPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: Maó City Council

Telephone: 971 350 597

Location: First floor of the cloister of El Carme. Miranda Square, 5

Town: Maó

39º53’19,31’’ N 4º15’57,96’’ E

90

The Hernández Sanz - Hernández Mora Museum Collection is based

on the first floor of the cloister of El Carme in Maó. Joan Hernández

Mora was born in Maó in 1902 and died in 1984; he was a Menorcan

intellectual with a degree in History and Law. One of his last wishes

was to give Maó City Council the private collections started by his

father Francisco Hernández Sanz (Maó, 1863-1949), historian,

archivist and editor of Revista de Menorca. The collections are now

housed in the museum named after him. The Menorca-themed

collection comprises illustrated works and decorative arts dating from

the 17th to the 20th century and includes furniture, objects, paintings

and maps.

The museum has a room concentrating on the 18th century. You can

also see a wonderful collection of ancient maps of Menorca and the

Mediterranean. If you want to collect information about the island,

you can search in the more than seven thousand works about Menorca

in the museum library.

HERNÁNDEZ SANZ-HERNÁNDEZ MORA Museum Collection

91

MUSEUM OF MENORCA

92

MUSEUM OF MENORCAOPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: Balearic Islands Government

Telephone: 971 35 09 55

Location: Pla des Monestir

Town: Maó

€

39º53'27,88'' N 4º15'39,78'' E

93

The Museum of Menorca is based in the old 15th century Franciscan monastery of Jesus, although the building you see today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The museum describes the history of the occupation of Menorca. The most interesting rooms are the ones on prehistory, ancient history and 18th century Menorca. There is also a room on Menorcan traditional trades and crafts plus a large collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century engravings and paintings.On the second floor, three rooms reflect the freedom of trade that flourished under British sovereignty and that brought economic prosperity and cultural development, especially in the fields of painting and literature. Menorca’s strategic importance during the 18th century can be seen in the maps and plans produced by European powers of the island, its harbours and its fortifications. The collection shows a particular interest in Maó harbour and its defences.

MUSEUM OF MENORCA

94

MILITARY MUSEUM OF MENORCA

95

OPEN TO VISITORS

Owned and managed by: Consorcio del Museo Militar de Menorca y

Patrimonio Histórico Milita

Telephone: 971 362 100

Website: www.museomilitarmenorca.com

Location: Explanada Square

Town: Es Castell

€

39º52’46,63’’ N 4º17’24,49’’ E

MILITARY MUSEUM OF MENORCA

96

The museum occupies part of the old Cala Corb barracks, in the

central square of Es Castell. It was built by the British in 1771 to plans

drawn up by the British Engineers Corps Colonel, Patrick Mackellar.

It later housed the Artillery Academy (1811) and in the 20th century it

was home to the Costa de Menorca Artillery Regiment. There are

nineteen permanent exhibition rooms where you can trace the

development of Menorca’s history from prehistoric times right

through until the 20th century, including all the intervening periods

and foreign occupations.

A total of 15 rooms concentrate on the 18th century, with a

fascinating section on the Fortress of La Mola, with a good collection

of original plans and a collection of engineering tools. There is also a

magnificent collection of old cannons and a complete set of scale

models of Menorca’s fortifications.

MILITARY MUSEUM OF MENORCA

CHAPTER 5OTHERS

98

CAMÍ D’EN KANE

99

CAMÍ D’EN KANEOPEN TO VISITORS

Location: Camí d’en Kane (the road linking Maó and Mercadal)

39º54’31,26’’ N 4º13’59,85’’ E

100

Sir Richard Kane was an Irish soldier who governed Menorca during

the first period of British occupation. Between 1712 and 1717, when he

arrived on the island, he put in place a network of roads that initially

ran from Ciutadella to Sant Felip Castle, with the intention of making

communications easier between troops in the forts of Maó and

Ciutadella, and as far as possible, with more isolated areas and rural

estates that had di"culty getting their produce to market. One of

these roads, which in fact turned out to be one of Sir Richard Kane’s

greatest contributions to public works on the island, still bears his

name today.

Nowadays, the stretch from Maó to Mercadal via Alaior still survives.

The route crosses the inland rural landscape on the western side of the

island. It is a wide road in good condition.

CAMÍ D’EN KANE

101

SIR RICHARD KANE OBELISK

102

SIR RICHARD KANE OBELISKOPEN TO VISITORS

Location: Carretera Maó - FornellsTown: Maó

39º53’52,18’’ N 4º14’58,42’’ E

103

Commissioned by British governor Eduard Fox in 1801, the obelisk is

near Maó harbour, alongside the road built by Sir Richard Kane.

The Latin inscription, carved in white marble, reads: “This royal way

connecting the two extreme ends of the island was opened for the first

time in the year 1720, by order of the enlightened gentleman, General

Sir Richard Kane, invested by the King as High Governor of

Menorca”.

SIR RICHARD KANE OBELISK

104

WATER TANK OF ES MERCADAL

105

WATER TANK OF ES MERCADAL

OPEN TO VISITORSOwned and managed by: Mercadal Town Council

Telephone: 971 375 002 Website: www.aj-esmercadal.org

Location: Pla de Ses EresTown: Mercadal

39º59’17,33’’ N 4º05’28,27’’ E

106

This huge water tank is still in use today and remains in very good

condition. Its size and characteristics make it a very unusual

construction. Building was started in 1735 by order of the island’s

British governor, Sir Richard Kane.

This large water tank collects rainwater and stores it in an inner tank

holding about 273,000 litres. It was intended to ensure a regular

water supply for troops stationed between Maó and Ciutadella and to

improve quality of life for people living in Mercadal by providing them

with a supply of drinking water. The water tank is next to the bridge on

Camí de Ciutadella. It is undoubtedly one of the most important

features of the British legacy during the periods of British occupation

on Menorca.

WATER TANK OF ES MERCADAL

107

WATER TANK OF ES MERCADAL

108

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