Torrellafuda

The Torrellafuda settlement dates from the Talayotic era and was inhabited until Islamic times, as indicated by the archaeological remains found. 

The settlement, set in a holm oak wood, consists of a single large talayot, a taula enclosure, several houses and a necropolis of four hypogeums or artificial caves. There are other structures including a cistern from the Roman or Mediaeval era and sections of a cyclopean-type wall.

In one of the hypogeums a batch of lead sling balls from the Roman era was found.

Ophrys Speculum

Just found a long time looking for orchid. Ophrys Speculum.

A terrestrial orchid up to 25 cm tall and each inflorescence carries between 2 and 8 large flowers. The plants often grow in groups. In bright sunshine the flowers are highly visible as the light reflects off the speculum in the centre of the lip – it is a bright iridescent purple/blue in colour and very glossy.

The Shipwreck of "General Chanzy" 110 years ago.

One of the worst disasters ever to occur in Menorca, took place at 5 in the morning of February 9th 1910, during a tremendous storm with hurricane force winds and giant waves, when the luxury 2300 tonne French passenger/cargo steamship 'General Chanzy', en route from Marseille to Algiers, crashed into the cliffs close to Punta Nati on the northwest coast of Menorca. As she immediately began to sink her boilers exploded.

 The General Chanzy in the Harbour of Marseille

The scale of the disaster was only revealed at 8 in the morning on the Saturday 11th, some 48 hours after the accident, when the sole survivor 23 year old Marcel Baudez, presented himself to the farmhouse of Son Escudero asking for help. Within days the terrible truth would be known; 159 persons had lost their lives in this accident.

 The Cliffs at Punta Nati with rough sea.

The funerary monument in the Ciutadella Cemetery

 

 Load recovery works.

 The saddest job. Collecting of the copses that could be recovered.

Gloria

A storm with the disturbing name of Gloria has hit our country viciously.

And despite its destructive power, it has left precious images in the island.

Burial niches in Calan Blanes.

Small set of niches of Greek or Roman origin. Apparently they are related to some type of funeral rite.

Another end of Season.

It is only a week before the tourist season ends. The bustle of the beaches, the caravan of vehicles on the roads, the crowds at Calas Fons are all far away now.

 
Taking a walk through the city you realize this end of summer. Many shops and restaurants are either closed already or just closing now, only a few people on the streets and it seems that everything speaks to you of stillness, of peace.

Epic Trail Menorca 360. 2018

A 185KM legend

The Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls (TMCdC) is an ultra distance event consisting of flip Menorca for coastal path originally drawn by the British over 300 years ago and whose main purpose was to defend the island.

This is a race of 185 kilometers that has a positive slope of 2863 meters in which each rider will discover their limits and enjoy the idyllic scenery in this wonderful lost corner of the Mediterranean sea, full of dreamy beaches, impossible cliffs, magical views and local cusine with which to celebrate that life is a race in which you score goals and experiences.

To overcome the challenge, each rider has 40 hours to finish an adventure with taste of an adventure. Also the organization provide 15 aid stations on the route with water, sports drinks, fruits, nuts, energy bars, among others products, or foods with the same caloric intake.

The start was last Friday, May, 18th 2018, and definitely a part in the life of any runner who took part of one of the longest non-stop test and no doubt pretty trailrunning european landscape.

Barranc d'Algendar and the story of "Es Capitanet"

Barranc d'Algendar, in Ferreries.

 One of the nicest walking routes in Menorca.

Es Barranc d'Algendar is a wonderful place in the area of the south of Menorca. There are few legends and stories that are hidden among the majestic vegetation and cliffs. Stories of distant times, lost pirates, looting, mysterious animals, lovely ladies ... There are many topics and stories, but there is one that arouses a special interest: the story of Jaume Soler Adrover, popularly known as "Es Capitanet".

"Es capitanet" which is a diminutive of captain that was applied as a consequence of his short stature was a very peculiar person. Is is believed that he was born in Ibiza and in Majorca is where his military career started, he bravely fought in the Carlist Wars in Catalonia and after having made a small fortune he came to Menorca where he married a woman from Ciutadella and bought the farm called S'Aranjassa in Es Barranc d'Algendar.

 An old picture of S'aranjassa. Might be taken while "Es Capitanet" was still alive.

Those who knew him, say that over the years, he lost his mind and saw enemies where there was nobody, and so, sometimes he was seen fighting with his sword in the middle of a path against .. .no one.

This situation got worse with the years and even more after his wife passed away. Then, his extreme religiosity was added his undoubted belief in reencarnation and also in the witches that he claimed were watching him.

When he felt close to dying he did not want to make a will in favor of his distant relatives -the couple never had children-, nor did he want to give his belongings to the Church in case he returned from his grave, so he finally wrote a document in which he agreed the Bishopric of Menorca could use in the following 400 years his estates S'Aranjassa and Es Canalo, (which, incidentally, was another farm that he had won to another farmer playing cards in a stormy night), but the two farms had to remain under his name, so he could recover them in case he came back.

Es Canalo.

Jaume Soler "Es Capitanet" passed away in 1922, so the Bishopric of Menorca can use the farms but not sell them. Not in the next 304 years as he might come back to claim for them. Today, both properties are carrying out enviromental education activities for children and teenagers.

Tot-Lluc

Tot-Lluc is one of the oldest farms in Menorca. It probably dates from the 11th century, when Menorca was part of the Ummayad Caliphate, because when the island was conquered by King Jaime there was already an estate here with a variant of that name.

The facade has two unequal arches and a curious system of inverted tiles to collect rainwater and channel it to a cistern.

On the grounds of this farm there is a cave with prehistoric petroglyphs representing boats.
I have only seen them in photography, never in person, but if this magnificent time is maintained next week, I will try to dedicate a day to find that cave.

Spooky weather

Several tornadoes lashed last Saturday the west coast of the island and Cala Galdana. Fortunately there were no injured people but many trees plucked and small boats sunk

La Bonanova

A couple of milles before reaching Ciutadella on the left handside of the road as you arrive from Mahon rises a majestic country house in ruins, with the name of "Bonanova". It is a building that follows, religiously, Palladio's scheme for the villa "Sarraceno" in Finale de Vicentino.

The situation of the house in relation to the surrounding landscape is also markedly Palladian.

 Foto Andreu Beltrán

I have always been fascinated by this building in such a decadent state. As if no one could or would have never enjoyed its arcaded terrace and gardens.

By the light that is perceived through its boarded up windows, it must be deduced that the ceiling has already fallen. And so that nature claims its part.

End of the Season, Santandria Beach and Smoix Restaurant

After a few days of autumn weather, the first day has ended after the tourist season have been radiant and warm. Just perfect for a walk on the beach and lunch at a good restaurant. 

In both cases, the choice has been adequate.

Santandria Beach, calm and quiet she invited to take a dip

Smoix is today one of my favourite Restaurants in Menorca. Imaginative and very fresh food.

Smoix website

The shipwreck of the 'Francina'

It happened in 1974. Specifically, on February 3.

The Liberian flag merchant ship, had left the day before Marseille towards the Algerian coast, carrying oranges, iron, primers for explosives and chemicals on board. The explosives had been stowed in the ship's bow. Due the bad weather, with strong winds and high waves, there was a chain reaction explosion on board that caused the fire in the ship. Only four of the fourteen members of the crew saved their lifes in the fatal accident.

More than 40 years later, they are still recognizable remains of the old engine room of the 'Francina', 12 meters deep, near the cliffs of Cala Morell

Strolling around the fields of La Trinitat.

 

 

The Autumm and Early Winter that we're having in Menorca this year is being abnormally warm.  

 

An invitation to walk through fields and beaches. Both the coast and inland paths are filled these days with people, mostly Menorcan, enjoying their time walking or cycling.

 

"La Trinitat" is an agricultural area east of Ciutadella dedicated to the cultivation of cereals and fodder for livestock. There are some vast farms with large and old houses.

 

 La Trinitat.

Sant Llorens

Binipati Nou

Some trees and plants in the island are blooming, victims of the mirage  of this false spring.

 

 Myrtus Flowers.

 

Myrtus Communis, the common myrtle or true myrtle, is native across the northern Mediterranean Region. In the ancient Mediterranean Cultures, myrtle was symbolic of either, Love and Immortality.

 

On the other hand the weather conditions in parts of the UK are, as I read in the press, really rough. I do hope that you have not been affected by the floods.

Happy New Year.

Sant Joan 2015. Sunday of the Lamb.

The rituals of the Menorcan Festes de Sant Joan have remained unchanged since medieval times. On the Sunday prior to Saint John's Day, called the Diumenge des Be (Sunday of the Lamb), the committee gathers at the palace of the caixer senyor, where the flag is presented to the caixer fadri. After the fabioler has played his first sounds on pipe and drum, the group sets out to summon the authorities for the festivities. Accompanying them barefooted is the Homo des Be, a man dressed in sheep skins, and carrying on his shoulders a 1-year-old lamb which represents the living symbol of Saint John the Baptist. The lamb has been washed and combed regularly on each of the seven previous days, and is watched all night to prevent it from getting dirty. In the early morning of the Day of the Lamb, the animal is adorned with colored ribbons and painted red crosses on its back.

 

All the pictures by Menorca.info

Taula at Binimasso and San Nicolas Farmhouse

 

 A headless taula (T-shaped stone setting) and other standing stones stand on a bush which seems like an island in a field, and a talayot (bloc piled tower) stand across a road.

San Nicolas, near Ciutadella.

Punta Nati. Ciutadella.

Punta Nati Cape is located further northwest of the island located in the town of Ciutadella. This area is characterized by rocky and barren landscape, impressive precisely because of its hardness. Only a few specimens  of the plant world that survive in this desert-like landscape.

Ecballiuem Elaterium also called squirting cucumber.

Ecballium Elaterium

The lighthouse, which is a few tens of meters high above the cliffs was built in 1913 as a result of a dramatic shipwrecks, the "General Chanzy "covering the journey Marseille-Algiers that killed more than 200 people and only one survived. The lighthouse, which was inhabited until the second half of the twentieth century, has a white tower, a dome and aluminum flashlight. Also has large housing units for the old lighthouse keeper and a courtyard surrounded by a stone wall. To the right of the lighthouse are the remains of an observatory and a battery built during the civil war.

The coordinates of this lighthouse are: 40 º 3 '0.20 "N 3 º 49' 24,91" E,

A unicorn gargoyle at the Menorca Cathedral.

A French legend that sprang up around the name of St. Romanus ("Romain") (AD 631–641), the former chancellor of the Merovigian king Clotaire II who was made Bishop of Rouen, relates how he delivered the country around Rouen from a monster called Gargouille. La Gargouille is said to have been the typical dragon with batlike wings, a long neck, and the ability to breathe fire from its mouth. There are multiple versions of the story, either that St. Romanus subdued the creature with a crucifix, or he captured the creature with the help of the only volunteer, a condemned man. In each, the monster is led back to Rouen  and burned, but its head and neck would not burn due to being tempered by its own fire breath. The head was then mounted on the walls of the newly built church to scare off evil spirits, and used for protection.

But to be fair, a gargoyle is in Architecture a carved or formed grotesque figure with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between. 

Many medieval cathedrals included gargoyles. Architects often used multiple gargoyles on buildings to divide the flow of rainwater off the roof to minimize the potential damage from a rainstorm. A trough is cut in the back of the gargoyle and rainwater typically exits through the open mouth. Gargoyles are usually an elongated fantastic animal because the length of the gargoyle determines how far water is thrown from the wall.

The "Besitos" moored in the calmed Ciutadella harbour

Should you walk through the port of Ciutadella, you might find this boat moored next to the building of the old port captaincy. Besitos is her name. She is a traditional Menorquin boat of a type called "llaut" operated with a latin rig, a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, and running in a fore-and-aft direction.

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Latin Rig