Consorcio Militar, St. Philip Castle
The military historical legacy of Menorca and its heritage in the port of Mahon
Sep
Menorca is, to be understood, everything a traveler is looking for: nature in its pure state, proof of it is its recognition as a Biosphere Reserve, gastronomy with its own identity, villages in which to get lost.
Menorca is also an open-air museum of its fascinating military history. Beyond the legendary stones of its Thalayotic culture, happily recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there are others that give shape to castles and defensive towers that are faithful testimony to the episodes in which the Balearic island has been seen enveloped through the centuries.
A huge number of buildings for all tastes, ideal for relaxed discovery on an escape outside the bustling months of July and August. Menorca’s prime geographical location on the western Mediterranean made it an object of desire on the part of the major European powers, who saw it as the perfect strategic bastion for dominance of this part of the Nostrum Sea. Thus, since the medieval period, the island was adding to the millennial stones of its Talayotic culture (talayots, taulas, shuttles, inhabitants, necropolises …) others on which castles and defensive towers were built; against pirates and invading armies, be they Muslim, Ottoman, English or French.
These military footprints have today become a major tourist attraction, perfect complement to beaches, archaeology, gastronomy and sports. A set of heritage monuments open to the visit that constitute a walk through history through the so-called Fortified Route.
Touring the ruins of the castles gives an idea of their grandeur. In Es Castell are preserved the underground galleries of the castle of Sant Felip (16th century), which protected the port of Maó. This extensive harbor hosts in addition other fortifications, such as, for example, the imposing fortress of the Mola, from the 19th century.
This important heritage is managed by the Military Consortium of Menorca, for the service of residents and visitors.
When was the last time you visited either of these two monuments or, for example, the Military Historical Museum of Menorca, located on the Esplanade Square in the municipality of Es Castell?
