Curiosities of Menorca
Island full of prehistoric monuments
Menorca has more than 1,500 archaeological sites, including talayots, taulas and navetas, remains of the Talayotic culture that existed more than 3,000 years ago.
One of the most famous is the Naveta d’Es Tudons, an ancient funerary construction located near Ciutadella. It is believed to have been used between 1,000 and 800 BC.
It is the first land in Spain that sees the sun
Due to its location at the eastern end of the country, Menorca is the first place in the national territory that receives the first rays of sunshine every day. This makes it an ideal place to enjoy the most spectacular sunrises in the country.
Remnants of British influence
Between 1708 and 1802 Menorca was under British rule at various periods, which left a marked influence on its culture, architecture, cuisine and language. In the architecture for example, it is still common to see in some houses guillotine style windows, red and maroon facades. Especially in the municipality of Es Castell.
Menorca has its own endemic reptile
The typical black lizard, a very iconic image of Menorca, is found on the Isla del Aire. It is an endemic subspecies of the Isla del Aire, an islet located southeast of Menorca. It is one of the best known populations of the Balearic lizard(Podarcis lilfordi), a species that was formerly present throughout the Balearic Islands, but disappeared from the main islands due to the introduction of predators such as rats and snakes.
Contrasting colors of the sand of the beaches
The beaches of Menorca are famous for the variety of colors in their sands and waters, which creates a spectacular contrast depending on the area of the island. Northern Beaches: Reddish and Wild
They are beaches of reddish or golden sand due to the composition of the rocks and the clay soil of the area.
The Southern Beaches: White and Paradisiacal
Beaches of fine white sand, which gives a paradisiacal aspect with turquoise waters. This is due to the erosion of limestone and the presence of coral fragments and shells in the sand.
Menorca biosphere reserve
Another fascinating curiosity about Menorca is that the island was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993 due to its balance between human development and the conservation of the natural environment.
More than 40% of the territory is protected, with well-preserved ecosystems.
It has a great diversity of habitats: beaches, ravines, wetlands and Mediterranean forests.
S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park is the core of the reserve and a key biodiversity hotspot.
Thanks to this distinction, Menorca has managed to maintain its natural beauty without the mass tourism of other Mediterranean islands.
