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Talayotic settlements are everywhere in Menorca, particularly in the south east corner of this Balearic Island. There's something special about Menorca as Mediterranean islands go. It's position for one, for it sits in a particularly strategic spot right in the heart of the Mediterranean. It's only small, with a surface area of 702 square kilometres and a coastline stretching 216 kilometres. Today the population is only about 81,000 inhabitants across it's eight municipalities of Mao, Ciutadella, Alaior, Ferreries, Es Mercadal, Es Castell, Sant Lluis and Es Migjorn Gran.
Why so many Talayot settlements, and so many of them extremely intact? What does Talayot mean? Talayot is a pre-historic period, and one in which much activity was afoot it appears in Menorca! Human settlement in Menorca has been verified right back to the Bronze Age (2000 BC) and this period is the pre-Talayotic period which left various burial monuments such as megalithic tombs and collective tombs called navetas. The best known of these is the Naveta de Tudons. Towards 1400 B.C. this period evolved into the Talayotic period dated between 2000 and 1000 BC, significant for it's production of various large stone constructions known as talayots. Talayots is derived from the arabic word atalaya which means watchtower. It is this prehistoric period, and the many Talayotic contructions produced as a result that attracts so many visitors to Menorca.
One of the most magnificent and famous Talayot settlements on Menorca is Trepuco near Mao, but there are approximately 1,6000 megalithic sites across the island, mostly in rural locations, and with a greater concentration in the south on the more fertile plains - makes sense for some of the earliest settlements to be located here! There's a superb very well preserved Taula in Trepuco. Taulas are signficant to the Talayotic period and are two slabs of rock, with another placed on top of them in a T shape, much like the structures at Stonehenge. Mind you, you can see a 10 foot (3m) high taula at Talati de Dalt settlement to the west of Mao
Other features significant to these settlements are talayot circular or square buildings. Nobody knows for sure their original use, but various ideas are on the table such as their function as tombs, guard-houses, meeting places or perhaps living quarters. Navetas can also be seen. These have a shape like an upturned boat and there are about 10 accross Menorca. These were almost certainly dwellings.
The key Talayotic sites across the island include Trepuco and Talati de Dalt near Mao, Torretrencada, Torre Llafuda and Naveta d'es Tudons to the west near Ciutadella. Most prolific are those on the west, including Torre d'en Gaumes and Torralba d'en Salord. Torre d'en Gaumes is the largest
From Trepuco just a kilometre south of Mao move on to Torralba d'en Salort off the road to Alaior. This settlement is extremely well preserved, and has a tall taula set within a sanctuary and no less than two pretty intact talayots. Push on to see the two navetas at Rafal Rubi.
This Talayotic site is the most intact and popular on Menorca. You can see why with it's large taula and defensive wall. There's been a lot of excavation work on this site, and pick up the very useful leaflet which guides you round the site, and some very friendly help and advice as you enter. Talati de Dalt is a superb settlement to explore. You're literally left alone with your guide leaflet to wander around this ancient prehistoric site. It's a spiritual experience for sure, and it's well worth taking time to explore this most significant angle of Menorcan history. Superb!
Between the end of the 2nd millennium and the beginning of the 1st, the first houses were constructed here at Talati and activity continued until the Roman conquest at 123 BC.
Apart from the beautiful bay at Cales Coves on the South East coast of Menorca you'll also discover a few fascinating burial caves. There's about 100 caves in all around Cales Coves, carved into the cliffs. Some you can reach some not. If you're there early in the morning check out Cales Coves smaller second bay by clambering over the rock head, then go for a dip in the bay's other fork.
For a cave with a bit of a myth have a look in on Cova d'en Xoroi. A onetime notorious pirate haunt, with wackaday myth attached of stolen virgins and so forth. Today it's a superb cliff carved bar, where you can sit peacefully sipping your chosen apperatif looking out to see. Wish you were here, most definitely!
Cova d'en Xoroi, Cala en Porter, Tel: 971 37 72 36. Open from 10.30am to 9pm daily, disco 11pm to 5am daily, but the disco is closed out of season from October to May. Check the web link to the right for details.
Ateneo de Mao Cultural Centre and library. Holds a collection of 16th and 18th century ceramics. C/ sa rovellade de dalt, 25, Mao, Tel: 34 971 360 553
Colection Hernandez Mora-Hernandez de Sanz, Menorquin culture s. XVIII and XIX, Claustre del Carme, 5, 07701 - Mao. Tel: 34 971 350 597
Menorca Museum, Mao. Based in the old Franciscan Convent, which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The building has had various uses including serving as a nautical school, a public library, high school and children's home but since 1989 it has been Menorca's key archeological finds museum. Avda. Doctor Guàrdia s/n, Maó. Tel: 34 971 350 955.
The Scientific, Literary and Artistic Library, Mao. Here discover an interesting library with variousimportant collections. C/ Comte de Cifuentes, 25, .Maó. Also in Mao, check out the interesting Funeral Museum on Cementerio de Maó, Maó.
The Environmental Museum is situated in the urban area of Ferreries, and gives lots of information on the environment in Menorca and its natural, cultural and traditional values. It holds temporary exhibitions and organises excursions to discover the many nature reserves in Menorca. Mallorca, 2, Ferreries. Tel: 34 971 374 505
Ecomuseum del Cabo de Cavalleria, Finca de Santa Teresa. Cabo de Cavalleria-Port sa Nitja, s/n. Es Mercadal. Tel: 34 971 359 999
Menorca Military Museum takes you through the journey of many an invading visitor on Menorca. The museum is in Es Castell to the south east of Mao, situated in the Quarter de Cala Corp. The building itself was constructed by the English in 1771 and sits on Placa Esplanada, s/n, Es Castell.
Check out the idyllic Sant Domingo Convent, a beautiful building dating from the XVI century. Today it's the setting of many cultural activities such as the Pollenca Music Festival. Located in the same building, the Pollenca Museum houses a collection of contemporary painting, the Atilio Bo, Es Castell. Check out also in Es Castell the Exhibition Centre Sa Industria, Es Castell. Tel: 34 971 368 278.
Colection Hernandez Mora-Hernandez de Sanz, Menorquin culture s. XVIII and XIX, Claustre del Carme, 5, 07701 - Mao. Tel: +34 971 350 597.
Exhibition Centre de Sa Unitat Sanitaria, Lepanto, 17, Es Mercadal. Tel: +34 971 375 002.
Gallery Arantza & Cia, Es Forn, 9, Alaior. Tel: 34 971 378 561.
Exhibition Centre Sant Diego, Es Banyer, s/n, Alaior. Tel: 34 971 372 862.
Molí de Dalt Ethnological Museum. The focus here is obviously Ethnology. Find it on C/ de Sant Lluís, 4, 07710 - Sant Lluís. Tel: 34 971 151 084.
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