Menorca and its stories

We invite you to take an entertaining trip around Minorca through small stories, legends and characters that have played such a big part in our culture and the environment we live in. Our virtual trip passes through different places and monuments in history. You can stop at anytime by clicking on the menu at the right of the page.

We will start with the first inhabitants of Minorca: the Talayotic people. The Talayotic period dated between 2000 and 1000 BC, and it is best known by its large stone constructions known as Talayots. The term Talayot is derived from the Arabic word atalaya which means watchtower. These first inhabitants left us with such impressive monuments as the Naveta d\'es Tudons, near Ciutadella, and the Na Patarrà well, close to Alaior. The arrival of the Romans entailed a radical social transformation, in all aspects. On the other hand, it permitted that the first Menorcans could travel as slingers in the Roman army, but still without much confort.

The roman culture took progressive steps towards Christianity until the arrival of Islam. From this period we have a nice legend, the story of Xuroi and some remains of Islamic  architecture, such as the Santa Águeda Castle in Ferreries. This fortress was built by the Muslims and was partly destroyed by Pedro el Ceremonioso (Peter the Ceremonious), soon after the conquest of Minorca by the crown of Aragón.

At the end of the XIII century, after the arrival of Alfonso the III, Minorca once again became Christian land. We will see several testimonies from this period some of which are historical, other traditional and some others just myth. Our story continues on until the XVIII century when Minorca was coveted by the great powers of the moment for its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. We will stop by Port Mahon, and visit some people that used to live here or still dwell there, like Admiral Nelson and his lover or Admiral Collingwood and his ghost.

Finally, in a more timeless fashion we will visit the main towns and the coastline along the island. In the last stage we will follow the smugglers way, supposedly the best tourist guides that this land has ever known.