Menorca’s Historic Mahon Harbour

Mahón Harbour, on the Balearic island of Menorca, is the largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the deepest in the world. Spanning over five kilometres long, its strategic location and sheer depth made it one of the most fiercely contested naval assets in European history.

Founded by Carthaginian General Mago Barca in the 5th Century BC , it was recaptured by the Spanish Crown of Aragon from Moorish rule in the 13th century .in 1535 it was sacked by the Ottoman pirate Barbarossa, known as Red Beard.

It’s so called golden age from 1708 to 1802, it pivoted between British, French, and Spanish rule.

Nowadays it is a modern naval and commercial port.

The Carthaginian general Mago Barca was the brother of Hannibal. It served as a vital shelter for Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Moorish fleets.

Alfonso III of Aragon captured the island from the Muslims in 1287. Due to its vulnerability, the port was heavily targeted by corsairs. The most famous raid occurred in 1535, when the Ottoman pirate Barbarossa (Red Beard) sacked and destroyed Mahón, leading to the construction of Castillo de San Felipe.

Great Britain captured Menorca in 1708 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Recognizing the deep-water bay’s value, the Royal Navy established the Port Mahon Dockyard in 1715 as its primary Mediterranean base.

British Governor Richard Kane officially moved the capital from Ciutadella to Mahón in 1721 to be closer to the naval base, forever reshaping the island’s politics and economy.

Because the harbour was highly coveted, control famously shifted back and forth between Britain, France, and Spain through the 1700s. Spain finally gained permanent sovereignty in 1802 under the Treaty of Amiens.

Given its varied history there are numerous historic sites within the harbour.

Isla del Rei (King’s Island)’is named after Alfonso III’s landing in 1287, when he re captured Menorca from the Moors. The island features a massive 18th-century British Naval Hospital. Today, it is beautifully restored and hosts the Hauser & Wirth Menorca art gallery.

Illa Pinto (Saffron Island): The heart of the original 1715 Port Mahon Dockyard. It still features an iconic 1760s naval storehouse with a clock tower and retains its distinctive octagonal shape used for careening warships.

Isla del Lazareto (Quarantine Island) was built at the turn of the 19th century under Spanish control to prevent epidemics. Over 13,000 ships were quarantined here to stop yellow fever and plague from entering Europe.

Following its independence, the United States Navy chose Mahón Harbour as its very first Mediterranean fleet base in 1815 to combat Barbary pirates.

There are three forts built at the entrance of the harbour – two by the Spanish and one – Marlborough Fort built, by the British.

Destinations: Spanish Islands / Spain