Menorca Island, the Balearics, Spain
After another day at sea, we arrived early in the morning at Mao (Mahon), one of the five Balearic islands of Spain in the Mediterranean (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera). Menorca is a land of a very long history, and throughout the centuries has been a part of several great civilizations. Already since prehistoric times, early peoples built big numbers of megalythic monuments such as Taulas (a T-shaped monument built 4000 years ago), and Talayots (round stone towers near the seaside). In the more modern times, Menorca was occupied by the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Vandals, the Byzantines, and the Arabs. These were on the island till 1229, when they were removed from the island by Alfonso III of Aragon. Spain fought pirates on and off, the worst instances being those of the pirate Barbarosa and others. Later Spain handed over the island to England, and it was fought over during more years, till it eventually ended in Spanish control in 1802.
Mahon is the second deepest port in the world, and we could see an extensive array of yachts and other pleasure boats at anchor there. After breakfast we boarded our coaches for a whole day tour, and drove through the countryside to Monte Toro, the highest point of the island. There we visited the church, and enjoyed the incredible sights. We then drove on to a fishing village called Fornell, where we did a leisure walk and some of us enjoyed a café, with a lovely harbor view. On we slowly traveled, to Citadella or Citadel, where we visited the center of the old town, with the Cathedral of Saint Mary. After some time for walking around or shopping, we returned to the buses and went on to our lunch at a local restaurant, where we had typical Menorcan food.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Taula de Torrealba, where we saw the T structure built at the end of the 13th century BC, which probably served as a meeting, ceremonial center during the time. It has also been established that underneath this structure, lies another older center, built during the so-called Pre-talayotic Era, during the end of the 14th century BC!
After this lovely day of modern Menorquese cities and very old archaeological sites, we headed back to our ship. Some of us left the bus in the center of the town of Mahon, others went on to the ship. And all of us were on board, when at 17:30 we sailed out of the long harbor of Mahon, enjoying an on-deck "Tapas" and wine tasting session, with all-local foods!
After another day at sea, we arrived early in the morning at Mao (Mahon), one of the five Balearic islands of Spain in the Mediterranean (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera). Menorca is a land of a very long history, and throughout the centuries has been a part of several great civilizations. Already since prehistoric times, early peoples built big numbers of megalythic monuments such as Taulas (a T-shaped monument built 4000 years ago), and Talayots (round stone towers near the seaside). In the more modern times, Menorca was occupied by the Greeks, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the Vandals, the Byzantines, and the Arabs. These were on the island till 1229, when they were removed from the island by Alfonso III of Aragon. Spain fought pirates on and off, the worst instances being those of the pirate Barbarosa and others. Later Spain handed over the island to England, and it was fought over during more years, till it eventually ended in Spanish control in 1802.
Mahon is the second deepest port in the world, and we could see an extensive array of yachts and other pleasure boats at anchor there. After breakfast we boarded our coaches for a whole day tour, and drove through the countryside to Monte Toro, the highest point of the island. There we visited the church, and enjoyed the incredible sights. We then drove on to a fishing village called Fornell, where we did a leisure walk and some of us enjoyed a café, with a lovely harbor view. On we slowly traveled, to Citadella or Citadel, where we visited the center of the old town, with the Cathedral of Saint Mary. After some time for walking around or shopping, we returned to the buses and went on to our lunch at a local restaurant, where we had typical Menorcan food.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the Taula de Torrealba, where we saw the T structure built at the end of the 13th century BC, which probably served as a meeting, ceremonial center during the time. It has also been established that underneath this structure, lies another older center, built during the so-called Pre-talayotic Era, during the end of the 14th century BC!
After this lovely day of modern Menorquese cities and very old archaeological sites, we headed back to our ship. Some of us left the bus in the center of the town of Mahon, others went on to the ship. And all of us were on board, when at 17:30 we sailed out of the long harbor of Mahon, enjoying an on-deck "Tapas" and wine tasting session, with all-local foods!
