The history of Menorca is the history of a succession of invasions. It doesn't stop it
to be logical, if we keep in mind that the island is located in a strategic place so much
military as commercially, and for it has been it piece coveted by the nations and empires
that have attempted the domain of the Mediterranean.
The taulas and talaiots that sprinkle the island date of a relatively
late time in the prehistoric chronology, the age of the brass that reflects in
Menorca from the year 1.600 AC until the 200 AC. When the talaiotic
culture began to decline, Menorca received the visit of the greek and fenician merchants, and the
first military conquest: that of the Carthaginians who founded the cities of Jamma
(current Ciutadella) and Maghen, (current Mahón). In the Carthaginian troops the famous
Balearic slingers militated, of those that it was said that they were able to cross the
shields and the helmets with their stone projectiles.
Roman, captained by Fifth Cecilio Metelo, they conquered the Balearic
islands in the year 123 AC, giving Balearis Minor 's denomination or Minórica to our
island. Of the time of the Roman colonization it is the mosaic found in the king's Island,
in the port of Mahón. They have also been brass statuettes, decoration objects,
inscriptions and abundant ceramic. Excellent samples of everything are exhibited it in the
Museum of Menorca, located in Mahón. The visit to this museum is inexcusable.
The island occupation for the arabian is carried out at the
beginning of the century X, but from two centuries the ships that left of the peninsula
and the North of Africa besieged the coast before and temporarily some cities. Four
centuries of Muslim dominance they have left in Menorca a deep impronta. Not only in the
names (Binibeca, Binisafulla, Alcaufar, Cala Galdana, and a very long etc.), but also the
liking to the horses, archaeological vestiges as the Castle of Santa Agueda, and
beautiful legends that have been transmitted vocally.
En the year 1287 Alfonso III Menorca conquered for the crown of
Aragon.
The more tragic facts of the history of Menorca takes place in the XVI
century, with the looting of Mahón (1535) for the Turkish pirate Barbarroja and, in
more measure if it fits, that of Ciutadella for Piali, Turkish pirate also, in 1558. July
the 9th the attackers, after more than a week of blockade,were able to open a breach
in the walls of Ciutadella. The slaughter and destrucción of the city are picked up
the document called Record of Constantinople." More than 3.500 ciutadellencs
were taken as slaves.
French and English were alternated in the domain of the island from the first
English occupation in 1708, until the signature of the treaty of Amiens in 1802, for the
one that Great Britain returns Menorca to Spain. These dominances have left evident
prints in the architecture, the language, and even in the character of the menorquines.
The forth of Marlborough,at Es Castell, or Lady Hamilton's house, lover of Lord Nelson,
are recommended visits.
