How the idea of ​​creating a military history museum on the island of Menorca came about

Mahón, August 12, 2026

Have you ever wondered why there is a military history museum in Menorca, specifically in the municipality of Es Castell?

It all began in 1998 when the old General Castaños powder magazine, located within San Felipe Castle, was converted into a storage facility. Later, with the disbanding in 2002 of the last military unit stationed on the island, the idea arose to create a larger space to collect, preserve, and exhibit all the historical heritage that the garrison had accumulated over the years. This space materialized as the current Military History Museum of Menorca.

The building that houses the museum is one of the barracks that make up the old parade ground (now Plaza Explanada), around which the town of Es Castell (formerly Villacarlos and originally Georgetown) was built.

Built in 1771, it has served many different purposes: barracks, hospital, and even family lodging. In 1929, it was occupied by the Artillery Regiment until 1994, when the Coastal Artillery Group was finally disbanded, at which point it became the headquarters of this museum.

Contents
The museum is spread over two floors. On the first floor, divided into different rooms, visitors can take a chronological journey through the centuries. Within each room, in addition to the exhibits, there are a series of panels that narrate the history and characteristics of the period.

On the ground floor, the 20th-century Army in Menorca is presented through themed rooms dedicated to the different military units that were stationed on the island.

Finally, from the ground floor, visitors can access the Civil War air-raid shelters, which have been properly restored and furnished.

In the corridors of both floors, various period collections are on display, including maps and engravings from the 16th to the 19th centuries, portable weapons, and antique photographs.