Travel and leisure
Destinations
Raise a glass to Minorca
Back in the 18th century it wasn't the beautiful beaches and charming coves that attracted the British to Minorca but its strategic position
The French, British and Spanish played tug-of-war with Minorca throughout the 18th century, although it was the British who left some of the most lasting influences – including gin.
Their century of occupation brought hundreds of thirsty British sailors to its shores and into the taverns where they would invariably order their favourite tipple. Gin wasn’t known to the islanders but it didn’t take them long to learn how to concoct the drink, and it continues to be made the same way from local juniper berries distilled in old copper stills. A tour around one of Minorca’s distilleries such as Xoriguer in the port of Mahon makes an interesting excursion and is the perfect opportunity to sample a glass or two of the spirit.
Gin is not the only thing Minorca has to thank the English for. You’ll come across evidence of their influence in all kinds of ways, from the Georgian houses in the old quarter of Mahon to the apple orchards, Friesian cows, roads and reservoirs introduced by British Governor Richard Kane in the 18th century.
Go back a few years more (well, a few thousand) and you will encounter a history of an altogether different kind. Minorca’s Bronze Age heritage is evident across the island as up to 1,600 ruins pockmark the landscape: everything from Stonehenge-type taluas, tower-shaped talayots and navetas which resemble upturned boats can be seen protruding from the earth.
Thanks to these intriguing structures, the diverse landscape and precious flora and fauna, UNESCO has decreed the whole island a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the majority of its 258 square miles remain blissfully unmarred by the sprawling resorts common to other Mediterranean islands.
Mahon is a great starting point for any traveller here. The capital lays claim to one of the Mediterranean’s most attractive natural harbours and has many fine seafood restaurants and waterfront bars. There’s also a busy market housed in an old Carmelite convent (the perfect place to buy souvenirs) and the Church of Santa Maria, noted for its vast 3006-pipe organ.
On the opposite side of the island the former capital of Ciutadella is another fine harbour port whose elegant plazas and historic streets are perfectly suited to strolling: make sure you take in the old town with its many grand mansions.
For such a tiny island Minorca certainly packs a punch, and it makes the perfect getaway whether you’re looking for sunshine, history, culture or just plenty of rest and relaxation.
