How much do you know about Menorca’s british past?

Autumn is the perfect time of the year to get to know the island´s British heritage. The warm climate is ideal for discovering villages and monuments.

During the 18th century Menorca came under British rule twice. These important periods in the history of the island had a lasting influence on the life and customs of it´s people: in it´s arquitecture, the `boinders´ (bow windows) or viewpoints; in it´s gastronomy, the `puddings´; in some playground games… The British influence is still visible today in some of the buildings, and in the watchtowers which stand protectively looking out over the Menorcan coastline.

Autumn is the perfect time of the year to get to know the island´s British heritage. The warm climate is ideal for discovering villages and monuments, after which you can enjoy a quiet meal and taste some of the local cuisine.

Menorcarentals suggest visiting the following 3 places of interest:

• Es Castell. Don´t miss a stroll around the centre of this town, designed by Britsh arquitect Patrick MacKellar. The main square, known as the `Esplanada´, is surrounded by ex-military buildings painted in red. Once home to the British army on Menorca, these buildings now house the island´s Military Museum. At the nearby inlet of Cala San Esteban you can also visit Fort Marlborough, a fortress constructed by the British to protect the entrance to Mahon harbour.
• The Fornells watchtower. In this small north coast village you will find one of the largest watchtowers built by the British. Restored in the year 2000, the watchtower now houses a small museum, where you can learn about the former uses of this unique building.
• The Castellar tower, in Ciutadella, constructed to assist the San Nicolas watchtower in defending the island from coastal attacks.​

The influences, and tales of love and war, which the British left behind on Menorca remain in evidence today. Would you like to discover them?