The Archaeology of Magical Minorca

The old capital of Minorca oozes understated grandeur with its Moorish and Italian- influenced architecture and pretty side streets. The pedestrianised old city is the perfect place for a stroll, soaking up the sunshine and perhaps pausing for a coffee or snack in the handsome main square or at one of the restaurants lining the quayside. History and architecture buffs will love the Catalan-Gothic cathedral with its six side chapels, and the string of beautiful convents, cloisters and churches which testify to Ciutadella’s religious significance over the ages.

Anyone with an interest in military or Minorcan history shouldn’t miss this visit to Fort Marlborough. Built by the British in the early 18th century to protect the entrance to Mahon port, its warren of tunnels, rooms and bunkers give a real feel for what life must have been like for the soldiers who worked here. Afterwards, we’ll get another glimpse of military life at Mahon Military Museum where ancient guns, cannons and weaponry are on display.

Mahon, Minorca’s capital, has the largest and deepest natural harbour in the Mediterranean. Such a prize made it highly desirable, and our tour reveals the architectural legacy left by successive British, French and Spanish occupations in the 18th century. We’ll also admire Minorca’s rich cultural heritage at the Museo de Minorca, whose collection includes items from Talaiotic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods.

The bright, whitewashed town of Sant Lluis was built by the French during their short occupation in the 18th century. The grid-based street plan is unusual on Minorca, but it makes the old town easy to explore. Molí de Dalt, the town’s last surviving flour windmill, which houses a small museum chronicling local rural history. You can even climb the refurbished tower if you wish.

It’s all about the views on this trip to the centre of the island and the highest point on Minorca, the summit of Monte Toro. Here, you can sit in the sunshine outside the whitewashed Sanctuary Monte Toro and enjoy spectacular views over almost the entire island.

Minorca has an extraordinary prehistoric past, and the Naveta d’es Tudons is its largest and best-preserved stone burial chamber. The curved profile and inner chambers are believed to date back to around 1,000BC and the remains of over 100 men, woman and children were excavated here. After walking around the perimeter, there’s time to enjoy the beautiful setting with its stone walls and flower meadows.

Drive north to Sanisera, the site of a great Roman city during their 600-year occupation. Although Sanisera is mentioned in ancient maps and manuscripts, archaeologists only discovered the site around 40 years ago and have since uncovered Roman factories, camps and a necropolis with dozens of tombs arranged in neat rows.

The oldest-known inhabitants of the Balearic Islands, the Talaiotic period lasted until the Roman conquest in 123BC. At Torrelafuda you can walk through a wild old olive grove to see the burial chambers, stone dwellings and rubble wall that once surrounded this prehistoric settlement. Later, an illustrated talk will shine a light on what we’ve seen.

This fascinating excursion explores the ancient history of Minorca at Torralba d’en Salort, which was inhabited from 1000BC right up until the late 17th century. Talaiotic remains include stone towers, walls, caves and a hypostyle roof, and you can also see a more recent chapel which was built in the Middle Ages.

Torre d’en Galmes is one of the largest Talaiotic sites in the Balearic Islands. Set on the edge of the south coast, it has far-reaching views and on a clear day you can see Majorca. With its circular houses, central courtyard and underground water cistern, as well as a visitor centre, it’s an absolute must for anyone with an interest in history or archaeology.