SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009| Distributed with The Daily Telegraph| 7For more information on Menorca, go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoMENORCADelve into a treasure trove of intriguing relics CULTURE Spend some relaxing time amidFascinating sights: Stone Age Menorca; inset, Plaça d’es Born; below, jousting at Ciutadella’s festa de Sant Joancharming ruins, fine old buildings and artefactsou can’t help wondering what the ancient Menorcans were up to, 3,000 years ago, when they put huge slabs on top of giant upright stones to build what look like massive tables. Archaeologists say these taulas are part of enclosures for worship, and one of the most atmospheric is Torre Trencada, which means broken tower. I stopped off to visit it as I drove down one of Menorca’s old narrow country roads, the Cami Vell, which is also part of its Cycle Tourism Network. You have to pay to see some of the bigger monuments from the Talayotic era, but Torre Trencada is free. The 10-minute stroll through a field and past woods adds to the feeling that you are walking back in time — almost like going through the wardrobe into Narnia. Suddenly you see the taula — about 12ft tall — and nearby, there is an old burial cave, a stone-built talayot, or watchtower, and an underground storage chamber. It is a beautiful setting and perfect place for a picnic — in fact, a complete contrast to Menorca’s most famous Talayotic ruin, the Naveta des Tudons. This huge burial chamber, standing in a field just outside Ciutadella, is the island’s biggest and best preserved. Its upturned boat design has a simple elegance, although there’s a lonely, forlorn air about it. But it could be that Naveta des Tudons was connected to another settlement called Montefi — recently discovered on the outskirts of Ciutadella — which has three stone towers and several burial caves. Excavations are expected to continue through this summer. The Naveta des Tudons was excavated in the Fifties, when bones from 100 bodies were found with treasures such asYbronze jewellery and terracotta pots. I saw some of these at the small but atmospheric Ciutadella Municipal Museum, which is housed in Bastio de Sa Font, a small fort built in what remains of the 17th-century city wall. There is a bigger collection of prehistoric and Roman finds at the Museum of Menorca, in Mahón. It used to be a Franciscan monastery, and its beautiful central courtyard and cloisters alone are well worth seeing — as is the lovely St Francis of Assisi parish church next door, a cathedral-like building which was part of the monastery. Mahón has several beautiful churches to explore, although Ciutadella is the religious centre of the island and its recently renovated Catedral de Santa Maria is stunning. A former convent in Ciutadella is home to the Diocesan Museum of Menorca, which has an archaeological collection as well as gold and silver religious articles and paintings. But whether you are interested in museums or not, a visit to this former capital of Menorca is an absolute must — and you can soak up the culture just by strolling around the narrow streets, or sitting outside a café in the magnificent Plaça d’es Born.FESTIVALS Every year the medieval streets of Ciutadella are filled with people celebrating the festa de Sant Joan — the festival of Saint John the Baptist. It is Menorca’s biggest religious and cultural event, and dates back to the 14th century, but another point of the festival is to show off Menorca’s passion for horsemanship — and its cherished black Menorcan horses. The spectacle starts on the Sunday before June 24, when a statue of St John is paraded through the streets by horsemen in traditional bicorn hats, black frock-coats and black bow ties. The anticipation grows on June 23, with music, medieval flags and an afternoon parade where horses walk on their hind legs through the streets — a skilful aspect of Menorcan dressage. St John’s Day is on June 24, when jousting is held at the town’s Placa Sant Joan, followed by a service at the cathedral and the jousting finals, then there’s another horse parade in the evening and fireworks to finish. Moremodest festivals are held in other towns on saints days in July and August, and the island has religious festivals at Easter. But there are first-class international festivals, too, with the Summer Music Festival in Ciutadella, in July and August, and an International Jazz Festival in Mahón, from March till May. Fornells has classical music nights in July and August, and Mahón’s old Teatro Principal has a summer opera season starting in August. During theyear there are several food fairs: Es Mercadal has a Gastronomy Fair in April and Organic Agricultural Fair in June, while Fiestas Patronales de Mahón, is in early September and Ciutadella Gastronomic Fair takes place in October. Sailing regattas are also important to this island, starting with the Ciutadella Yacht Club Trophy in March, plus the St John Regatta in June and the Classic Sailing Boats Panerai Trophy in August — both in Mahón harbour.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009|| 1The Daily Telegraph Saturday, April 4, 2009MENORCA A new look at Britain’s favourite Spanish holiday island.INSIDE SPECIAL SECTION ON THE MAGIC OF MENORCAin association with
2||SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009THE BALEARICSÞ For more information on the Balearics , go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoAbout this supplement The British have long enjoyed a love affair with the Balearic Islands. With 300 days of sunshine a year, flights of just over two hours from the UK, wond
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009| Distributed with The Daily Telegraph| 3For more information on Menorca, go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoMENORCAcatamaran for a trip around the port and close-up views of the military buildings that have defended the island over the centuries. In just over an hour
4| Distributed with The Daily Telegraph|SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009MENORCAÞ For more information on Menorca, go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoTHE PERFECT PLACE FOR RIDING HIGHIN THE SADDLE Deborah Stone goes horse riding and cycling through spectacular Menorcan sceneryAmoment’s hesitation at
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009| Distributed with The Daily Telegraph| 5For more information on Menorca, go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoMENORCASIMPLY THE BEST New spas and modern restaurants sit side by side with tradition, writes Ruby SimpsonPAMPER YOURSELFWhen holidaymakers started visiting M
6| Distributed with The Daily Telegraph|SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009MENORCAÞ For more information on Menorca, go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoSUPERSTOCK.COMSECLUDED SPOTS PERFECT ISOLATION Followan ancient coastal path to find tranquillity and charming wildlife, writes Tiffany FieldIt’s easy
SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009| Distributed with The Daily Telegraph| 7For more information on Menorca, go to www.illesbalears.es and www.spain.infoMENORCADelve into a treasure trove of intriguing relics CULTURE Spend some relaxing time amidFascinating sights: Stone Age Menorca; inset, Plaça d’es Born; bel
