Town guide to Ciutadella

Ciutadella, an historic town that has held up well to the pressure of tourism in the twentieth century. It was originally named by the Carthagians, who called it Jamma, and was the original capital of Menorca until the British came along and moved it to Mahon in the eighteenth century. But Ciutadella still remains the religious capital of Menorca.

 

Most people will enter Ciutadella for the first time by road, driving past the new statue, on the roundabout on the new city bypass. It is a magnificent statue of a rearing stallion and symbolises the famous Ciutadella fiesta "Fiesta de San Juan". Usually celebrated at the end of June, not to be missed if you're lucky enough to be here when it is on.

The harbour, a narrow inlet, is one of the smallest ports in the Mediterranean. Here, sitting in good company at one of the harbourside cafés, you can experience, to me, what Menorca is all about. Relaxed and bathed in sunshine, watching the boats bob up and down and the people
strolling by - the worries of the world vanish.

 

One of the best places to view the harbour is from the main square, Plaza de's Born. The centre of the square is dominated by an obelisk which commemorates the defence of the city in 1558 when it was attacked by the Moors.

On one side of the square is the Town hall across from this is Palace Torre Saura. Open to the public and to the side of this is an alley, which leads up into the old city.

Most of the streets are narrow and typically Mediterranean. The arches of Ses Voltes provide welcome shade from the sun while shopping along the main street.

The Cathedral in the Plaza de Pio XII, completed in 1362, took over 50 years to build. Without doubt, the best way to see Ciutadella is by foot. Forget the time and your map and just wander through narrow streets soaking up the atmosphere.

Worth a visit rating =10