The Menorca Military Consortium to Restore Vickers Cannons at the Fortress of Isabel II

Mahón, September 15, 2026

The Menorca Military Consortium will invest a total of €102,514—funded by the Sustainable Tourism Tax (eco-tax)—to restore one of the Vickers cannons located at the Fortress of Isabel II (La Mola) in the port of Mahón.

Constant exposure to water, oxygen, temperature fluctuations, wind, and atmospheric pollution has affected the metal of the cannons, resulting in corrosion and the presence of visible active chlorides. The deterioration is so severe that the lamination and disintegration of the metal at the base of the piece threaten its structural integrity—a process that must be halted. The iron of these cannons—which weigh up to 88 tons—is highly susceptible to these environmental factors, particularly given that they are located outdoors.

The restoration project for cannon number 1 was drafted by conservator-restorer Francesc Isbert and is being executed by the metalworking firm Germans Martí Hidalgo SL, based in Ferreries. The initiative involves removing certain parts for treatment and installing new plating, among other measures.

This marks the first phase of a comprehensive restoration project aimed at preserving this heritage site and preventing its permanent loss. The restoration of the La Mola 381/45 mm Vickers cannons aligns with the objectives of the eco-tax, as it involves the recovery of historical and cultural heritage of great significance. Furthermore, it allows for the reopening of an area within the fortress museum complex that is currently closed to the public for safety reasons.

The Consortium previously carried out an initial intervention earlier this year to secure the area for visitors, as the railing was in a state of disrepair.