 Flag of Menorca |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Mediterranean Sea |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 39°58′N 4°05′E / 39.967°N 4.083°E |
| Archipelago | Balearic Islands |
| Area | 694.39 km² |
| Highest point | Monte Toro (358 m) |
| Country | |
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Spain
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| Autonomous Community | Balearic Islands |
| Province | Balearic Islands |
| Largest city | Mahon (pop. 27,468) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 88,434 (as of 2006) |
| Density | 127.4 /km2 (330 /sq mi) |
Minorca or Menorca (Spanish and Catalan: Menorca; from Latin: Insula Minor, later Minorica "minor island") is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca.
Minorca has a population of approximately 88,000. It is located 39°47' to 40°00'N, 3°52' to 4°24'E. Its highest point, called El Toro or Monte Toro, is 358 m/1174 ft above sea level.
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The island is known for its collection of megalithic stone monuments: navetes, taules, and talaiots, which speak of a very early prehistoric human activity. Some of the earliest culture on Minorca was influenced by other Mediterranean cultures, including the Minoans of ancient Crete. For example the use of inverted plastered timber columns at Knossos is thought to have influenced early peoples of Minorca in imitating this practice.[1]
The end of the Punic wars saw an increase in piracy in the western Mediterranean. The Roman occupation of Hispania had meant a growth of maritime trade between the Iberian and Italian peninsulas. Pirates took advantage of the strategic location of the Balearic Islands to raid Roman commerce, using both Minorca and Majorca as bases. In reaction to this, the Romans invaded Minorca. By 121 BC both islands were fully under Roman control, later being incorporated into the province of Hispania Citerior.
In 13 BC Roman emperor Augustus reorganized the provincial system and the Balearic Islands became part of the Tarraconensis imperial province. The ancient town of Mago was transformed from a Carthaginian town to a Roman town.[2]
The island had a large Jewish population[citation needed]. The Letter on the Conversion of the Jews by a fifth century bishop named Severus tells of the conversion of the island's Jewish community in AD 418. A number of Jews, including Theodore, a rich representative Jew who stood high in the estimation of his coreligionists and of Christians alike, underwent baptism. An act of conversion brought about, in fact, within a previously peaceful coexisting community by means of the expulsion of the ruling Jewish elite into the bleak hinterlands, the burning of synagogues, and the gradual reinstatement of certain Jewish families after the coerced acceptance of Christianity and its supremacy and rule in order to allow survival for those who had not already perished. Many Jews remained within the Jewish faith while outwardly professing Christian faith. Some of these Jews form part of the Xueta community.
When Minorca became an English possession in 1713, the English willingly proffered an asylum to thousands of Jews from African cities[citation needed]. A synagogue was soon erected in Mahon.
The Vandals easily conquered the island in the 5th century. The Byzantine Empire recovered it in 534. Following the Moorish conquest of peninsular Spain, Minorca was annexed to the Caliphate of Córdoba in 903 and given the Arabicized name of Manûrqa, with many Moors emigrating to the island. In 1231, after Christian forces reconquered Majorca, Minorca chose to became an independent Islamic state, albeit one tributary to King James I of Aragon. The island was ruled first by Abû 'Uthmân Sa'îd Hakam al Qurashi (1234–1282), and following his death by his son, Abû 'Umar ibn Sa'îd (1282–1287). An Aragonese invasion, led by Alfonso III came on 17 January 1287, now celebrated as Minorca's national day. Some of the Muslim inhabitants of the island were enslaved and sold in the slave markets of Ibiza, Valencia and Barcelona, while others became Christians. Until 1344 the island was part of the Kingdom of Majorca, also an Aragonese vassal state, which was itself annexed to Aragon, and subsequently to the unified kingdom of Spain. During the 16th century, Turkish naval attacks destroyed Maó, and the then capital, Ciutadella, before Turkish settlement took place on some of the island.
Captured by the British navy in 1708 during the War of the Spanish Succession, Minorca became a British possession. The transfer to Great Britain was confirmed under the terms of the Article XI of the Treaty of Utrecht. Under the governorship of General Richard Kane, this period saw the island's capital moved to Port Mahon, and a naval base established in that town's harbour.
During the Seven Years' War, however, the failure of a British naval squadron to lift a French siege of Minorca on 20 May 1756 later led to the court-martial and execution of Admiral John Byng. This naval engagement, the Battle of Minorca, represented the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in Europe. Despite this defeat, British resistance persisted at Port Mahon, but the garrison was forced to capitulate under honourable terms, including free passage back to Britain, on 29 June of that same year. The Treaty of Paris (1763), however, saw British rule restored following Britain's victory in the Seven Years War. During the American War of Independence, the British were defeated for a second time, in this instance by a combination of French and Spanish forces, which captured the island after a long siege of St. Philip's Castle in Port Mahon on 5 February 1782. Minorca was recovered by the British once again in 1798, during the French Revolutionary Wars, but it was finally and permanently ceded to Spain by the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. The British influence can still be seen in local architecture with elements such as sash windows.
As the rest of the Balearic Islands, Minorca was not occupied by the French during the Peninsular War, as it was successfully protected by the British Navy, this time allied to Spain.
During the Spanish Civil War, Minorca stayed loyal to the Republican Spanish government, while the rest of the Balearic Islands supported the Nationalists. It did not see combat, except for aerial bombing by the Italians of Corpo Truppe Volontarie air force. Many Minorcans were also killed when taking part in a failed invasion of Majorca. Also some Majorcans and a Priest were excuted in Minorca during Pedro Marqués Barber era (July-December 1936) After the Nationalist victory in 1939, the British navy assisted in a peaceful transfer of power in Minorca and the evacuation of some political refugees aboard HMS Devonshire HMS Devonshire (39).
In October 1993, Minorca was designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. The Balearics Islands were the first legislature to give legal rights to apes. [1].In July 2005, the island's application to become the 25th member of the International Island Games Association was approved.
The location of Minorca in the middle of the western Mediterranean was a staging point for the different cultures since prehistoric times. This Balearic Island has a mix of colonial and local architecture.
The fiestas take place throughout the summer in different towns around the island, and have their origins in the early 14th century.[3] The international opera week and international organ festival in Mahon and, the summer music festival and Capella Davidica concerts in Ciutadella are the main events of the island.
Minorca’s cuisine is dominated by the Mediterranean diet which is known to be very healthy. Whilst many of the locals have adopted modern attitudes they still uphold certain old traditions like chivalry, courtesy and of course hospitality.[4]
Minorca is especially well known for its traditional summer fiestas, which intrigue many visitors. The 'Festes de Sant Joan' is held annually in Ciutadella. The festes lasts for three days. On the first day, a man bears a well-groomed sheep upon his shoulders and parades around the local streets. In the late evening, main streets are closed and bonfires held upon them.
On the second day, locally bred black horses are the star of the show. Dressed up for the occasion with ribbons and rosettes. The riders, or caixers, ride the horses through the streets and encourage them, along with a tumultuous crowd of people, to rear up on their hind legs. The brave can be found running underneath them as they do so.
The third day sees intense competition between the riders in a harmless form of jousting that involves spearing a suspended ring with a lance at considerable speed. The festes is brought to a close with a firework display.
Natives to the island speak the variety of Catalan called Menorquí, and they typically speak Spanish fluently as a second language; many immigrants are monolingual in Spanish.
Between Menorquí and Catalan proper, as with most Balearic dialects, the most distinctive difference is the different word used for the article "the", where Menorquí uses "es" for masculine and "sa" for feminine. Menorquí thus shares the source of its article with many Sardinian varieties (masc. sing. su, fem sing. sa), rather than the standard Catalan "el" and "la", common to other Romance languages (e.g. Spanish el, la, Italian il, la), corresponding to a form which was historically used along the Costa Brava of Catalonia, from where it is supposed that the islands were repopulated after being conquered from the Moors. Menorquí also has a few English loan words dating back to the British occupation such as "grevi", "xumaquer", "boinder" and "xoc" taken from "gravy", "shoemaker", "bow window" and "chalk", respectively.
Lingering British influence is seen in the Minorcans' taste for gin, which during local festes honoring towns' patron saints is mixed with bitter lemon to make a golden liquid known as a Pomada. One common factor amongst in Minorca is a steady, and often extreme, imbibement of Pomada throughout the whole day. Also famous is Formatge de Maó, a cheese typical of the island.
It is thought that mayonnaise was brought back to France from Mahon, Minorca, after Louis-François-Armand du Plessis de Richelieu's victory over the British at the city's port in 1756.[citation needed]
Menorca is rich in wild flowers typical of the Mediterranean with a number of endemic species and many orchids. Most are in flower early in the year in late March, April and May.
30 species of butterflies have been recorded on Menorca and most are on the wing from March to late September. The species that occur include the Cleopatra, Lang's Short Tailed Blue and the spectacular Two-tailed Pasha.
Despite not having many large wetlands dragonflies abound on Menorca. Seventeen species have been recorded including the magnificent Emperor Dragonfly.
Menorca does not have many species of reptiles or amphibians. There are three species of amphibia; Green Toad, Marsh Frog and Stripeless Tree Frog. The common lizard seen all over the island is the Italian Wall Lizard although the Moroccan Rock Lizard also occurs. The Balearic endemic Lifords Wall Lizard can be found on many of the offshore islands. Two species of Gecko can be found on Menorca, the Moorish and the Turkish also called the Mediterranean House Gecko. Four species of snake occur: the Viperine Snake; Grass Snake; False Smooth Snake and the Ladder Snake.
The birdlife of Menorca is very well known, it is on the migration route of many species and good number of passage migrants can be seen in spring. Residents include Audouin's Gull, Blue Rock Thrush, Thekla Lark. Booted eagle and Red Kite are easy to see as is Egyptian Vulture in the right habitat. In summer you get Bee-eaters and Menorca has major colonies of Cory's Shearwater and Balearic Shearwater.
Menorca does not have any large mammals. There are some small mammals including Rabbits, Rats, Mice, Pine Marten and the North African sub-species of Hedgehog.
The major towns are Maó and Ciutadella. The island is administratively divided into these municipalities:
 This is a taula from the site of Talatì de Dalt about 4km west of Maó. |
 Cales Coves of Minorca. Note the hand-hewn entrances to the caves. |
 Minorcan countryside |
 Martello tower, Alcaufar with Illa de l´aire lighthouse in the distance. |
 Cala Galdana |
 Cleopatra, Algendar gorge. |
 Sympetrum fonscolombii the red-veined darter, Algendar gorge. |
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Minorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands, located to the northeast of Mallorca and is the least overrun and most tranquil of the Balearics. Due to its unspoilt beauty, it allows the more adventerous the opportunity to discover new charms and experiences. Despite its smaller size among other Spanish islands, the number of beaches that Menorca has equals the number of beaches that can be found in Mallorca and Ibiza combined. The possibility of having a beautiful beach largely to yourself in the summer, combined with alfresco dining and peaceful holiday resorts, makes Minorca a highly desirable place to visit.
The harbour at Maó, the island capital, is the second largest natural deep water port in the world - the largest being Pearl Harbour. The whole island is a European Biological Reserve and Unesco Biosphere Reserve aiming to preserve environmental areas. More than a 75% of the territory is protected. You can watch some of the last turtles of the Mediterranean, birds and protected species.
An identifying sign of Minorca is its fascination with horses. All things centre around horses and the people love them. Minorca has its own race of black horses. In all the festivities the horses and their "caixers" (riders) are the centrepieces. The "Cami de Cavalls" is a pathway surrounding the island for horse riding and it was used in the past for defence of the coast by horse.
Minorca is a relatively quiet island which means that more wholesome, family fun holidays are geared towards this island. If you prefer a more vibrant night scene, head to nearby Ibiza or Mallorca for a bustling city atmosphere.
If you do take time to explore the interior you will discover a wealth of of interesting and historic landmarks from El Torro the highest point on the Island to the most significant prehistoric sites at Trepucó and Torre d’en Galmés.
To this day no one is certain of the significance of these prehistoric monuments in the form of Taulas, T shaped stone formations thought to be spiritual sanctuaries; Talayots which are stone towers that local people believe were once used as look-out points. There is little evidence to support these theories about Menorca’s prehistoric past nor the original function of these breathtaking creations . Taulas are named after the Menorquín word for table. (Menorquín is the local dialect of Catalan which is widely spoken on the Island. Menorca is by far the richest place in Europe for sites of prehistoric settlements, mostly dating from the Talaiotic Period, which was the period of civilisation between 2000 and 1000 BC. The term Talayot is believed to originate from the Arabic atalaya meaning “watch tower”.
Another feature of prehistoric Menorca, and one of its most famous monuments, is the communal burial structure known as a Naveta. The best example of such a structure is close to the former capital Ciutadella. Just to the east of the town is the Naveta d’es Tudons which dates from around 1300 BC it is believed to be the oldest roofed building in Europe. It gets its name from its shape which is like an unturned boathape of an upturned boat. You enter via a small low entrance which gives access to a roomy interior which measures 46 feet in length, 21 feet in width and up to 13 feet in height. When it was first excavated in the 1950’s there were the remains of some fifty bodies confirming that it was used as a burial chamber.
Since prehistoric times the Island has been controlled by the Romans, Moors, Spanish, French and English. All these nations have left their mark on the Island and monuments to visit from Sanisera, the archaeological site close the port of Sanitja on the north coast of the island to the ruins of the Fifth Century Bascilica on the beach at Son Bou.
So here we are back at the beach where we first started. Hardly surprising when you consider that you can drive from east to west in an hour and north to south in about 45 minutes.
During the 18th Century, Minorca was a bone of contention among the British, French and Spanish powers. This was due to the Port of Maó, the finest natural harbour in the Mediterranean, and one of the best in the world, which could protect the largest fleets of the time in their entirety. The Utrecht Treaty, signed in 1713, gave place to the first British presence on Minorca, which lasted until 1755. The first British Governor was John Campbell (Argyll) nominated by the Queen Anne. Richard Kane ,from County Antrim in Ireland, the second British Governor, is still fondly remembered for his effective support of agriculture on the island; he introduced the cultivation of the apple, promoted cattle breeding and built roads and reservoirs which are still in use today. The Scottish Col.Patrick Mackellar (Argyll) was the chief engineer of Minorca and responsible for the main constructions of the british legacy. The main contribution of Mackellar was the design and construction of Georgestown (Es Castell) near to Sant Felip fortress at the entry of Mahon harbour.
There were two later periods of British presence on Minorca, from 1763 till 1781 and 1798 to 1808. The British left more than their earthworks and ramparts behind. Things as varied as the growth of Maó, which enthusiastically accepted the opportunities for trade and the abolition of the Inquisition,, the traditional woodworking and boat building techniques and designs and Minorca's most popular drink, gin.
The Golden Farm, a summer house near Maó, is one of the symbols of British presence on Minorca, perhaps as much as the bow and sash windows still to be found in the capital's old part quarter.
Son Granot is a Georgian style house built during the British presence on Minorca and is where Mackellar lived. This building is the second symbol of British presence and is considered a monument. Now the house is totally restored keeping the original concepts of XVIII century and it is a pretty land hotel and restaurant at the entry of Mahon harbour. It is the first house(red and white) you can see arriving by ship.
The locals speak a form of Catalan language called Menorquin. It is a language not easily understood by Spanish speakers. However all the inhabitants also speak Spanish. Additionally most speak English to a reasonable standard, especially in the tourist areas.
Regular flights are available directly to Mahon from mainland Spain and the sister islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. Regular scheduled services are available with Monarch from Birmingham, Manchester, London Luton and London Gatwick. Easyjet and British Airways also operate flights from some major and regional UK airports.
Minorca's airport is served by buses to Mao (Euro$1.50, 15 min) every half hour from around 6AM to 10PM and then hourly to midnight. The bus stops at the bus station, the Estacio Maritima and a couple of other intermediate points.
Regular ferries from both mainland Spain and Majorca are also available. Modest-sized cruise ships occasionally visit. They primarily use the deep harbor of Mahon, which offers highly scenic views of homes, hotels/resorts and historic structures and fortifications.
Taxis are the most popular form of transport and there are many car rental companies to choose from.
There are numerous agents and companies specialising in car hire in Minorca - both at the airport and in resorts - although it may be prudent to organise it from home before you arrive to avoid disappointment during peak periods.
Most of the Western beach towns are served by buses leaving from the main Plaza in Ciutadella. Other buses leave from Ferreries, Alaior and the largest bus stop on the island is that one in Mao, it serves Sant Lluis and then all of the beach towns in the East. Son Bou is reached from Alaior. The main bus route which serves Mao, Alaior, Es Mercadal, Ferreries and Ciutadella runs along the centre of the island.
Most buses leave hourly and are very inexpensive, at around €4 to €5 to travel between Ciutadella and Mao.
Minorca has its share of beautiful coastline that deserves recognition. Minorca beaches are generally not crowded, so finding a nice relaxing spot of your own is not hard to achieve. The closest decent beaches to the capital are Es Grau to the north and Platja de Punta Prima to the south. Both are connected to Mao by local bus. There are around eight buses a day to Punta Prima. Other beaches of note are:
Numerous operators offer glass-bottomed cruises around the harbor next to the ferry terminal.
Minorca is packed with good restaurants whose menus especially feature fish and seafood. Minorca also has a great variety of bars and cafes, some open for 24 hours a day.
Minorcan Gin
On Minorca there were a great many junipers, (there still are), and in the harbour lay the British fleet. The twain met and Ginet was the result, a spirit far removed from the Spanish and Mediterranean traditions and with notable difference from the English Gin.
It is a kind of cross between London Gin and the Mediterranean spirit, invented in Minorca. It was very successful and was drunk throughout the British Fleet and it surprised more than one distinguished visitor to declare "the best of the sprits found in Europe today" was historian Vargas Ponce's opinion on visiting Minorca in 1781.
The major difference between London Gin and Minorcan Ginet, is that Minorcan ginet is based on a spirit distilled from the grape, as is usual in the Mediterranean, and not on a cereal based spirit. The juniper now comes from the mainland, but the distilling continues to be done in old copper stills. The spirit rests in oak barrels cured in gin so that the end product does not take the colour of the wood.
Gin is found all over Minorca, drunk neat or in a mix. One such mix, named Pomada, is created by adding bitter lemon. It's the drink of choice during the many fiestas which take place throughout the summer on the island.
Bars Nightlife in Minorca is low key compared to nearby Mallorca or Ibiza. For a drink with a waterside view, head to the waterfront which is where the majority of bars are situated.
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MINORCA(Menorca), the second in size of the group of Spanish islands in the Mediterranean Sea, known as the Balearic Islands, 27 m. E.N.E. of Majorca. Pop. (1900), 371,512; area, 260 sq. m. The coast is deeply indented, especially on the north, with numerous creeks and bays - that of Port Mahon (17,144) being one of the finest in the Mediterranean, if not the best of them all, according to the popular rhyme "Junio, Julio, Agosto y puerto Mahon Los mej ores puertos del Mediterraneo son" "June, July, August and Port Mahon are the best harbours of the Mediterranean" (see Port Mahon). The ports Addaya, Fornelle, Ciudadela and Nitja may also be mentioned. The surface of the island is uneven, flat in the south and rising irregularly towards the centre, where the mountain El Toro - probably so called from the Arabic tor, a height, though the natives have a legend of a toro or bull - has an altitude of 1207 ft. The climate is not so equable as that of Majorca, and the island is exposed in autumn and winter to the violence of the north winds. Its soil is of very unequal quality; that of the higher districts being light, fine, and fertile, and producing regular harvests without much labour, while that of the plains is chalky, scanty, and unfit for pasture or the plough. Some of the valleys have a good alluvial soil; and where the hills have been terraced they are cultivated to the summit. The wheat and barley raised in the island are sometimes sufficient for home consumption; there is rarely a surplus. The Hedysarum coronarium, or zulla, as it is called by the Spaniards, is largely cultivated for fodder. Wine, oil, potatoes, hemp and flax are produced in moderate quantities; fruit of all kinds, including melons, pomegranates, figs and almonds, is abundant. The caper plant is common throughout the island, growing on ruined walls. Horned cattle, sheep and goats are reared, and small game abound. Stone of various kinds is plentiful. In the district of Mercadal and in Mount Santa Agueda are found fine marbles and porphyries; lime and slate are also abundant. Lead, copper and iron might be worked were it not for the scarcity of fuel. There are manufactures of the wool, hemp and flax of the island; and formerly there was a good deal of boat-building; but agriculture is the chief industry. An excellent road, constructed in1713-1715by BrigadierGeneral Richard Kane, to whose memory a monument was erected at the first milestone, runs through the island from south-east to north-west, and connects Port Mahon with Ciudadela. Ciudadela (8611), which was the capital of the island till Port Mahon was raised to that position by the English, still possesses considerable remains of its former importance.
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From the Latin Balearis Minor.
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Singular |
Plural |
Minorca
1962: C.Arthur Pearson. Pictorial Poultry-Keeping. Cox & Wyman Ltd (2nd ed.)
Minorca (Spain, Catalan: Menorca) is the most east of the Balearic Islands.
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Minorca is located east of Mallorca. It has an area of 694.39 km² and a population of about 88,000 inhabitants. Main town is Mahon (ca. 27,000 inhabitants).
Minorca has some advices for prehistoric human activities. It was influenced by the Minons Later it was ruled by the Carthageans, after the Punic Wars by the Romans. Up from the 5th century AD there was a seat of an bishop on Minorca. Then the Vandals invaded it. After they left the Moorish took over control. Later Minorca was ruled by the Kingdom of Mallorca and then it became a part of Spain. For a few decades Minorca was ruled by the British, but the Spanish recovered it again.
Minorca lives mainly on tourism. There is one airport near the main city.
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   | Virtual tour through Es Mercadal - Visita virtual a Es Mercadal, Menorca, Baleares, España. Incl. mapa |
| | Virtual tour through Fornells - Visita virtual a Fornells, Menorca, Baleares, Espanya, España. Incl. mapa |
| | Pictures Photographs of Menorca - Menorca Images | Photography photos pictures of Menorca |
| | Menorca Information - Menorca. Tot Menorca. Tota la informació de Menorca. |
| | Idò!: Web directory of Menorca - idò! El cercador de Menorca |
| | Virtual tours through various towns - MENORCA 360 -Visita virtual, guias, mapas y callejeros |
| | Virtual "climb" and visit to the monastry, Monte Toro - Visita virtual al monasterio de Monte Toro(357 m.),Es Mercadal, Menorca |
| | Historic monuments around the island - Visita virtual a monumentos arqueologicas a Menorca,España. Incl. mapa |
| | Menorca.net - The most complete touristic guide of Minorca - MENORCA MINORCA INFORMACION DE TODOS LOS PUEBLOS FOTOS PLAYAS FIESTAS DIRECTORIOS ALOJAMIENTO HOTELES PLAYAS OCIO CULTURA HISTORIA CIUTADELLA MAHON ALAIOR FEERERIES ES MERCADAL SANT LLUIS ES CASTELL ES MIGJORN GRAN FORNELLS LLUCMECANES SANT CLIMENT |
| | Menorca-Info.com - Guide to the Island of Menorca - Home: Menorca.de |
| | Minorca airport - MAH|Menorca Airport - Welcome |
| | Guide to Menorca, web Menorca - Documento sin título |
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