Es Castell
Es Castell, lying along the southern side of Maó harbour, may be the smallest municipality in Menorca, but historically was of great strategic importance. This, the most easterly town in Spain, was founded during the second British occupation as a garrison town, to defend the entrance to the harbour. With no beaches along its stretch of coastline, Es Castell does not have any tourist resorts and residents are scattered among the busy little town of Es Castell, the neighbouring urbanisations of Santa Ana, Sol del Este and Son Vilar and the rural village of Trebaluger. Of particular interest is the small creek at Sant Esteve, the site of three important defence fortifications.
Things to See & Do
Most visitors to Es Castell come to enjoy the waterfront dining along Cales Fonts. This small harbour is a charming, typically Mediterranean spot, particularly busy in the evenings. Menorcan fishing boats are moored in the harbour and sightseeing boats depart from here for tours of Maó harbour. Bars and restaurants line the waterfront and every evening in summer a craft market is set up along the steps. Being pedestrianised, it is an ideal place to simply stroll around or to enjoy meal outdoors, right at the water’s edge.
The narrow creek of Cala Sant Esteve on southern side of the mouth of Maó harbour is today a picturesque and peaceful place but for many years was of prime importance due to its position at the mouth of the harbour. Three separate forts were designed to defend one another and therefore protect the port of Maó from attack: the San Felipe Castle on the north side, Fort Marlborough, on the south side and Stuart Tower (Torre d’en Penjat) on higher ground. (See history section for further details). A visit to the Military Museum, located in the army barracks around the main square in town, will show you the hectic history of this island. For more details see the ad in Art and History section.
On the other side of the town of Es Castell is a smaller, lesser known “cala” or inlet, Cala Corb. With only a handful of establishments along the waterfront here, it is a much quieter, more “local” place to enjoy an evening drink. If the mood is right, the guitars come out and the locals will while away many a happy hour singing traditional songs.
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