Municipality in Miniature

Es Mercadal Municipality

Es Mercadal is in the geographic centre of Menorca. The town grew as a result of its proximity to Monte Toro. At 358 metres high Monte Toro is the highest mountain of the island. On the summit is a defence tower built in 1558 and Santuari de la Verge del Toro dating from1670 and dedicated to the patron saint of Menorca.

The Moorish legacy can be seen in the names of the rural settlements that begin with bini or al. The Moors were defeated in 1287by the Christian king Alfons III d'Aragó . About this time a group of settlers from Girona, in Italy, established a settlement next to Monte Toro and raised a chapel for the patron saint of their town, Sant Narcís. In 1301 King Jaume II established three menorcan markets in this area which is the origin of the name Es Mercadal.

View of Es Mercadal

Agricultural and farming lead the municipal economy guaranteeing the production of cheese with its own "denomination of origin". Farming and agriculture have preserved the local interior landscape of this island. The land is green in the wintertime and reminiscent ofthe south of England. The Menorcan stone walls and wooden barriers still remain to give the countryside a unique imagery.

There is also remains a little industry. The abarcas, the typical sandals of the farmers, are now very popular with tourists for their design and simplicity.

The tourists can sample the local dishes, especially the handcraft pastries (amargos, carquinyolis and guirlache) and visit the Renaissance church ofEsglésia de Sant Martín.

Visitors can stroll the quiet streets with traditional white houses, or walk to the bridge over the rivers and the public water reservoir, built by the English governor Richard Kane, and still in use today.

Es Migjorn Gran Municipality

Es Migjorn Gran occupies the centre and southern area of Menorca. The word “migjorn” indicates the cardinal point (“south” or “noon”). It isalso a reference to several menorcan areas, around the village of Sant Climent in the south of Ciutadella Municipality , where the water flows into the sea on the south coast.

The village was created in the second half of the 18th century around the church of (1769-1775) in the interior of the rural settlement of Binicodrellet. This village was officially called Sant Cristòfol after the chapel. In 1989 it became independent from the municipality of es Mercadal, and changed its name to es Migjorn Gran.

The village has preserved the traditional flavour of Menorca and it has retained its old beauty. It is very calm and quiet as you will feel walking through the narrow streets or looking at the beautiful houses.

Es Migjorn Gran is the richest area of the Balearic Island for megalithic monuments with five prehistoric sites per square kilometre. Amongst the most important sites there is the very large Cova des Coloms, sala hipóstila de Binigaus and the enormous talaiot of Sant Agustí Vell.

Joan Riudavets Moll (1889-2004) was born and died in the municipality. This migjorner was regarded as the oldest person in the world in 2003, after his 114th birthday.

Ferreries Municipality

The municipality of Ferreries is situated in the middle of Menorca. It comprises a narrow strip of land stretching from north to south coast,an area of just 67,39 square kilometres. The highest point is Puig de Santa Àgueda 260 metres above sea level, Menorcas third highest peak. The Municipality is predominantly a natural landscape with pine woods, holm oaks, and mediterranean bushes.

Dating from the 13th century the Municipality is said to have acquired its name from the forges in this area which were established to support the Military as they travelled across the Island.

Farming, milk products and production of cheese as the brand "Formatge de Maó" are economically important, there is also a shoe, furniture and jewellery indurstry which cotributes to the local economy.

Although only recently turning its attention to tourism it is getting more and more important for Ferreries economy.

Tourist attraction in this area include Castell de Santa Àgueda, Naveta de Cova des Moro, the prehistoric site Son Mercer de Baix andthe 18th century Església de Sant Bartomeu. There are also the gorges of Trebalúger and d'Algendrar which are fascinated to explore.

Ciutadella Municipality

The municipality of Ciutadella de Menorca is situated at the western end of the Island. Its population is much greater than that of Mahonand, many say its port is more picturesque. Its importance remains high as the cathedral of |Menorca remains in Ciutadella along with the bishop see. The City's name was given by the Christian King Alfons III d'Aragó after the conquest of Menorca. Ciutadella comes from the Latin word civitatella, from civitas, meaning civilisation. The formerly it was called Jamma, Iamo, Iamona, Municipium Flavium Iamontarum or Medina Minurka.

Cuitadella Marina

In 1301 King Alfons III d'Aragó started to establish a defence system and a system of parishes. The 16th and 17th centuries were plagued by violent Turkish pirate attacks. Ciutadella was Island's the capital until the English occupation. In 1722 the capital was moved to Maó. The 19th century was adifficult time economically but the later half of the 20th century established tourism as the leading the economy, although the traditional handcraft of shoes and jewellery are still important.

The festival of the patron saint, Sant Joan on the 23rd and 24th of June is the highspot of the Ciutadella Calendar. Internationally renowned for the show of riders and horses it is a special time to visit the old town, with narrow streets and intriguing buildings that preserve the features of different civilizations. The prehistoric ruins, the defence tower and other features make Ciutadella a must visit City.