Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

104  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA MENORC A  105

and beaches, including (some of the “newest” caves at Carrer de Lepanto 30,
Cala Binibeca, Cala have Roman inscriptions). a restaurant that is very
Binisafúller and Nearby is a small beach. popular with the locals.
the smallest beach
in Menorca – Es Environs
Caló Blanc. 7 Cala en Porter Some 3 km (2 miles) east, the
convent of Monte Toro was
15 km (9 miles) west of Maó.
Environs built in 1670 on top of Monte
The nearby resorts lack The seaside resort of Cala en Toro, which at 350 m (1,148 ft)
any distinguishing Porter is one of Menorca’s oldest is the highest point in Menorca.
features, apart from holiday towns and is a sprawl of Occupied by the nuns of a
the beaches and their virtually identical holiday villas. Franciscan Order, it is regarded
associated attractions, Nevertheless, it provides good as the spiritual centre of
so it is worth taking a tourist facilities, including one Menorca and an ancient
trip to the village of of the loveliest beaches on the centre of pilgrimage.
Sant Climent, which island, which is accessible via Restaurant set in an old windmill in Es Mercadal Inside this 17th-century
has a small market and winding stairs and suitable for church is a statue of the Black
lovely 19th­century children. Its most unusual Menorcan cheeses. This is the 9 Es Mercadal Madonna – Verge del Toro –
church. Sant Climent attraction is Cova d’en Xoroi, dairy capital of Menorca (the @ ( Sun. _ Sant Martí (3rd set within the main altarpiece,
also has a venue, the a huge cave, situated halfway island is also famous for its ice Sun in Jul). which depicts the Virgin Mary
White houses and steeple in Binibeca Vell Restaurant­bar Casino, down a steep cliff, which consists cream), with the biggest in a golden crown, holding
which puts on jazz of several large chambers and factories producing the famous Es Mercadal lies at the very the infant Jesus in her arms.
5 Binibeca Vell concerts twice a week. These tunnels. It has now been turned queso Mahón, a white, half-fat heart of Menorca, along the According to local tradition,
concerts are popular, as long as into a nightclub. cheese made of pasteurized Maó–Ciutadella road. Founded the statue of the Virgin Mary
9 km (6 miles) south of Maó.
you can hear the music above cow’s milk with added sheep’s in the 14th century, the town has been worshipped here
Binibeca Vell stands out amid the noise from the nearby Environs milk that gives it its has been largely since the 13th century. These
the similarity of many of international airport. Nearby About 15 km (9 miles) northwest distinctive flavour. overlooked by days, pilgrims visit Monte Toro,
Menorca’s southern seaside Torelló, right on the edge of is the resort of Son Bou, with the Besides buying tourism and earns particularly on the first Sunday
resorts. Also known as Poblat de the airport, has a talayot with ruins of an early Christian basilica cheese, you could its keep through in May, to participate in the
Pescadors (“Fishermen’s Village”), aircraft warning lights. (5th–6th century AD). The cliffs also visit the fortified farming and a Festa de la Verge del Toro.
it was built as a resort develop­ hide a number of caves that Baroque parish number of local Following mass in the church,
ment in 1972 to resemble a have been cut into them. church of Santa industries. The the pilgrims then descend the
traditional Menorcan coastal 6 Cales Coves Eulàlia (1674–90). town itself is stairs leading to Es Mercadal
fishing village. It has white­ 11 km (7 miles) west of Maó. } Cova d’en Xoroi The Munt de l’Angel charming, with on their knees.
washed, two­storey houses, @ Sant Clement. Tel 971 377 236. Open timings vary, watchtower stands trailing bougain- The old fortress, whose
wooden balconies and a maze please check website. & on a hill behind the villea and the battered stonework is attached
of streets that are so narrow This complex of prehistoric ∑ covadenxoroi. com church and provides pretty 18th- to the convent, has a military
you can touch the buildings on caves is best seen from the a beautiful view of Detail from the façade of century parish surveillance station. Nearby
both sides with outstretched sea. Carved in the cliffs above the area. The huge Santa Eulàlia church of Sant stands a huge stone statue
arms. The blaze of white walls, a picturesque bay, the caves 8 Alaior fiesta celebrated on the Martí. Es Mercadal of Christ, commemorating
small patios and lush gardens date from the Neolithic era. @ _ Sant Llorenç (weekend after day of St Lawrence includes riding is known for its excellent the Spaniards killed during the
enhance the Mediterranean During the Talayotic period, 10 Aug). ∑ alaior.org shows, parades and horse races Menorcan cuisine and you colonial war in Morocco.
atmosphere with a touch of the caves were used solely as through the streets of the town. may like to stop for a snack Some 6 km (4 miles) north-
Eastern influence. The “village” burial chambers. Later they This market town, situated or meal in one of its pleasant east is Son Parc – the only
even has a church steeple, became the site of pagan on a hill along the road from Environs small cafés or in Ca n’Aguedet, golf course on the island.
though no church. Nearby rituals. On the shore are the Maó to Ciutadella, is famous Torralba d’en Salord, one of
are a number of pleasant coves remains of a Roman harbour for its production of exquisite Mallorca’s biggest Talayotic Caldereta de Llagosta
settlements, is situated along
the road to Cala en Porter, about This delicious lobster stew is
3 km (2 miles) from Alaior. The the speciality of the northern
local taula is one of the best- regions on Menorca. Fresh
preserved and the tallest on lobsters are brought in
the island. The rectangular tem- every morning by local
ple has also survived in good fishermen. The best stews
are served in Fornells (see
condition. A bronze statuette of p108), which is famous
a bull discovered on this site can for its seafood. The dish is
now be seen in the Museu de extremely expensive but
Menorca, in Maó (see p100). absolutely delicious. One
Some 5 km (3 miles) to the popular way to enjoy it is
south is Torre d’en Galmés, to eat the gravy with bread,
another settlement dating treating it as a soup, and have
from the Talayotic period, the lobster with mayonnaise
which has a range of buildings as a main course. Tempting lobster stew
Cala en Porter, one of the loveliest beaches in Menorca including three talayots.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp150–51 and pp159–61

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm