Ferreries
Ferreries district, running from north to south across the centre of the island, occupies some of the hilliest terrain on Menorca, with impressive gorges winding down to the south coast amid fertile farmland. The town of Ferreries, whose name is thought to have originated in the blacksmith’s (ferrer) trade lies in the centre of the district. Once reliant solely on farming, today the footwear, jewellery and furniture-making industries represent important sources of income.
The small town of Ferreries has grown significantly in recent years, although the main square remains the centre of activity with a colourful farmer’s market held on Saturdays. The blue parking zone in the centre has a 1.5 hour time limit (no charge). You should set your arrival time on the special clocks (available at the town hall and the police station) or write it clearly on a piece of paper and display it on your dashboard.
The old part of the town, which is very picturesque with narrow cobbled streets and houses painted in different colours, fans out around the square and is pleasant to wander around.
Things to See and Do
For a small town Ferreries hosts a number of surprisingly sophisticated boutiques and restaurants.
The Nature Centre, housed in an old slaughterhouse in town, is a small museum dedicated to the natural environment with various interactive and audiovisual presentations complemented by temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Just north of the town the Hort de Sant Patrici working farm, produces cheese, wine and olive oil, and has opened its doors to the public. Visitors can stroll through the vineyards, wander through the marble sculptures in the gardens, see the cheese being made, visit the state-of-the-art wine cellar and purchase quality Balearic products in the shop. There is also a small agroturismo hotel designed in a very contemporary minimalist style, to offer a total contrast to the traditional farming activities surrounding it. Audio guides are available in several languages.
The 18th century stately home of Binissues, surrounded by rather grand gardens adorned with statues and fountains, is now a small museum, furnished with period antiques and also displaying farming implements and examples of endemic flora and fauna. Visitors can also enjoy typical Spanish food prepared with local ingredients at the adjacent rural restaurant.
The Barranc d’Algendar is probably the most impressive gorge on Menorca, running from Pla verd to Cala Galdana. High limestone cliffs rise up on either side, creating a fertile and protected valley filled with lush vegetation and home to 220 species of flora and fauna. This is a wonderful walk with spectacular scenery.
Ferreries district is also the site of Menorca’s second highest peak, Santa Agueda, which at 264 metres offers impressive views of the surrounding area. This is also a good walk, following a paved Roman road up to the ruins of an ancient fortress – one of the few physical remains of the Moorish occupation.
If you don’t make it to the local fiestas, you can still get up close and personal with the Menorcan breed horses at the Son Martorellet equestrian centre.Tour the estate, watch the horses being trained and visit the mares and their foals. Horse lovers should not miss the spectacular Somni show on Tuesday and Thursday evenings where horses and performers act out the story of one child’s dream.
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