Art Island – Hauser and Wirth’s Isle of the Kings

When in 1297 Spanish king Alfonso the 3rd retook the island of Menorca from the Moors, who had been its rulers for nearly 400 years, he landed first on the small Island of Illa dei Rei in the middle of Mahon’s giant harbour.

Illa dei Rei means Isle of Kings and in the following centuries it proved equally useful to successive occupying powers including the British. They ruled Menorca for 100 years and built a military hospital here.

Now in the 21st century international high end art gallery brand, Hauser and Wirth has created a unique destination gallery experience on the island.

Visitors can take a quick 15 minute ferry ride from the Mahón harbour front and decamp on the island where they can visit the latest exhibition in the Hauser and Wirth gallery there and eat under the pine trees in an open air restaurant.

They can also visit the restored military hospital where exhibitions chart its history and that of Mahon’s famous harbour.

Destination – Spanish Islands