Great Forts of Menorca
Due to its highly strategic location in the Mediterranean, Menorca was deeply contested by the Spanish, British, French,North African and Ottoman Empires and the North African Moors who controlled large parts of Spain and Portugal.
This tumultuous history led to the creation of a by the various competing powers of massive, heavily fortified coastal defense networks.
The top military fortresses and castles to visit on the island are concentrated around the deep waters of Mahón Harbour.
Located on the peninsula at the mouth of the harbour , La Mola Fortress is one of the largest 19th-century military complexes in Europe.
It features a monumental stone design, endless underground tunnels, vaulted powder chambers, and massive Vickers artillery guns, capable of reaching a distance of 36 kilometres offshore.
The site is enormous and requires at least 2 to 3 hours of walking to explore fully. Renting an on-site golf buggy is a popular choice to get around.
Located directly opposite La Mola on the southern shore of the harbor mouth, Castillo de San Felipe dates back to the 16th century. It was originally built to defend the island from Ottoman pirate raids, such as the attack by Barbarossa.
While Spanish King Charles III ordered the surface fort demolished in 1782 to make the island less appealing to invaders, the vast network of underground galleries and catacombs remains completely intact.
You can only explore the extensive maze of tunnels via a 2-hour guided night or day tour, which must be booked in advance. Bring a flashlight and good walking shoes.
Situated in the scenic cove of Cala de Sant Esteve,opposite these two other forts, Fort Marlborough was built by the British between 1720 and 1726.
Unlike traditional structures, much of this heptagonal fort is carved directly into the living bedrock. It is mostly invisible from the sea to keep it protected from enemy warships.
In addition to major forts, the British built a defensive network of martello towers around the island’s perimeter.
Perched on the rugged northern coast, in the picturesque harbour town of Fornells the Torre De Fornells is one of the largest towers on the island.
It has been beautifully restored, offering an on-site museum museum and panoramic cliff views from its artillery terrace.
Located at the other end of the island is the old medieval capital of Ciutadella and at the mouth of its harbour the Castell de Sant Nicolau is a unique octagonal watchtower which features a dry moat and an old wooden drawbridge entry.
Destinations: Spanish Islands / Spain
