Situated at the mouth of the Port of Mahón and framed by two attractive coves, is the town of Es Castell - the most easterly town in Spain! It is a town steeped in history and military connections, evidence of which can still be seen today. Originally named Georgetown by the English who built it according to military plans, it was later renamed Real Villa de San Carlos (Villa Carlos) when the island reverted to Spanish rule. It is now known, as it always has been by the Menorquíns, as Es Castell - The Castle, because of its proximity to the previously demolished Fort of San Felip.
The town’s history is strongly reflected in its layout and architecture. The most obvious is the central square, previously the parade ground, which is dominated by the elegant façades of the clock tower of the XVIII century town hall and military barracks.
One
of these barracks houses the Menorca Military Museum. Open on Saturdays
and Sundays from 11am to 1pm
the museum can be found in
the central square. The more gruesome minded like to inform us (falsely in
fact) that the cove adjacent to the square is named “Corb” or corpse
- because the currents had a tendency to wash up the bodies of the
escapees from the quarantine islands in the harbour!
A busy and thriving little metropolis, Es Castell, has plenty to offer its residents and visitors alike, in the ways of shopping, restaurants and nightlife. There are market days twice a week, and the town has its own annual fiesta, the Fiesta de San Juame, at the end of July. Many of the bars and restaurants are situated around the two coves, Calas Corb, and more especially Calas Fons, and offer something for everybody.
A turning off the roundabout at the entrance to Es Castell leads to the prehistoric village of Trepucó. There can be found a massive taylot and taula, while in an adjacent field to the west, part of the village has been excavated. The monuments were originally built during the first or second millennium BC, at about the time Moses was leading the children of Israel out of Egypt and are well worth a visit, even to those without a degree in archaeology!
Calas Fons
Is the
small harbour on the edge of Es
Castells, offers something for everybody in the way of
bars and restaurants. In fact it probably has one of the greatest
concentration of restaurants in the smallest area, on the island.
It is
situated near the entrance to Mahón harbour
and commands views across the water to the island of Illa del
Llatzeret. This is the largest island in Mahón harbour and was indeed a
peninsula until 1900 when a canal was cut to separate it from the land.
This was done to prevent escapes as Lazareto had
become the isolation hospital! The high thick walls of this building
can easily be seen from the harbour and were in fact originally built
to prevent the spread of infection by the wind. Today it is used by the
Spanish health service as a holiday island - an unenviable perk!
Harbour trips in glass bottom boats depart most afternoons from Calas Fons, with commentaries in Spanish, English and German. Including a glass of pomada, or lemonade for the less adventurous, a harbour trip is well worth
undertaking
especially for the first time visitor to Mahón. Tickets for this
excursion are available from the adjacent Dinkums Bar, situated at the far
end of the waterfront.
For
those who prefer to shop, or just relax in a bar or restaurant, Calas Fons
has something to suit all pockets and all tastes, from typically Menorquín
cuisine, to burgers and pizzas! Many of the shops and restaurants are
actually situated in the walls surrounding the harbour, and a visit during
siesta time when some of them are shut, makes them look like a row of
garages! However this façade hides a wealth of small shops selling a
wide range of items from
ceramics to the typical menorquín sandals, all in a relatively undeveloped setting.
Even at night the harbour does not become too busy and provides a
delightful setting for an evening meal or drink, for both couples and
families alike.
What to see & do...
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Where to eat...
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Anglican Church
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Charity Shop
| Age Concern |