Page 102 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

100  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA

Further Afield
Venturing outside Maó’s centre
involves a pleasant stroll along
narrow avenues lined with
quaint houses, and passing
all the main historic sights of
the town. The most interesting
include the magnificent chapel
of the Immaculate Conception
in the church of Sant Francesc,
built in an ornamental Spanish
Baroque style. The Museu de
Menorca is also well worth a Gobierno Militar, one of the most magnificent buildings in Maó
visit if only for its extensive
range of items from the some to have therapeutic E Museu de Menorca
Talayotic period. Another properties. All these drinks Avda Dr Guàrdia s/n. Tel 971 350
interesting place to see is can be tasted on site, and of 955. Open Jun–Sep: 10am–2pm
the gin distillery. course bought in the shop. & 6–8pm Tue–Sat, 10am–2pm Sun;
For a longer hike, Maó is a Oct–May: 10am–2pm Tue–Sun
good starting point for a walk R Sant Francesc (to 6pm Tue & Thu). Closed public
along the coast – head north Plaça d’es Monestir. Open 9:30am– hols. &
to Cala Llonga, or south right 12:30pm & 3:10–6pm Mon–Sat; This museum occupies the
up to Port de Malborough. 9am–12:30pm Sun. former cloisters of a Franciscan
The church of Sant Francesc, monastery. The collection
with its light­coloured Baroque includes works of art and
façade (1719–92), stands at the archaeological relics. Many
end of Carrer de Isabel II. of the exhibits date from
The church’s imposing prehistoric times, and there
interior has a vast, dark nave is an extensive selection from
with a soaring Gothic altar at the Talayotic period, as well as
the end of it. The church’s most Roman, Byzantine and Arabic
outstanding feature is its artifacts. Among the most
octagonal chapel of the interesting exhibits are
Immaculate Conception a bronze statuette of
built in a fanciful a bull, Punic jewel­
Spanish Baroque style lery and some
and decorated with huge amphorae.
stucco garlands of
vine and roses. This is P Gobierno Militar
Some of the Xoriguer Distillery’s ancient the most beautiful Carrer de Isabel II. ^
gin-making equipment example of Baroque The Military Governor’s
ornamentation in House and army head­
P Xoriguer Distillery Menorca. Its creator quarters are housed
Moll de Ponent 91. Tel 971 362 197. is believed to be the Ornament from in one of Maó’s most
Gin production on the island talented painter, Sant Francesc beautiful buildings.
is a legacy of the British occu­ sculptor and architect The palace was built
pation, although its local brands Francesco Herrara. in 1768, during the second
taste rather different to the ones Adjoining the south side British occupation. The building
currently produced in Britain. of Sant Francesc is the is still used by the army and
You can acquaint yourself with monumental monastery, with an can therefore be seen only
the gin distillation process by arcaded courtyard. Currently it from the outside, though
visiting the Xoriguer distillery, houses the Museu de Menorca. the arcaded courtyard is
close to the harbour steps, well worth a peek.
which was founded in the
18th century. P Plaça Bastió
As well as juniper, which is This small, irregular­
imported from the Pyrenees, shaped square has
gin contains a number of other limited vehicle access,
aromatic herbs. Menorcan gin and serves as a good
is sold only in Menorca and in place for children to
a few restaurants in Mallorca. let off steam. Visitors
The distillery also produces who are fatigued by
various liqueurs, including the sightseeing often
hierbas that are believed by Courtyard of the former Franciscan monastery stop here for a rest.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp150–51 and pp159–61

100-101_EW_Mallorca.indd 100 06/10/17 11:08 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm