Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

112  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA CIUT ADELLA  113

y Ciutadella Their distinctive façades reflect VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
the character of the town’s
A picturesque town with narrow, winding streets, handsome noble mansions built during Practical Information
palaces and a busy harbour, Ciutadella has always competed that period. Town Hall, Plaça des Born 15.
with Maó. In the days of Arab rule it was the island’s capital, * 29,000. Tel 971 484 155.
( Fri & Sat. _ Festa Sant Joan
and in 1558 it was invaded by the Turks, who killed many of E Claustre de Convent de (23–24 Jun). ∑ ajciutadella.org
Sant Agustí
its inhabitants and carted off some 3,500 more to slave C/ Seminari 7. Tel 971 481 297. Transport
markets in Istanbul. Of its buildings, only the cathedral Open 10:30am–1:30pm Tue–Sat. @ g
remained. Those who survived were determined to rebuild The museum at the Convent
Ciutadella. Most of the Menorcan aristocracy continued to de Sant Agustí occupies the
make it their home, even after Maó became the capital. old cloisters. Its collection of object of a folk cult. Standing
prehistoric and modern artifacts near the chapel is a column
Neo-Gothic canopy above the Cathedral altar includes a miniature statuette Ses Voltes’ arches line the walkway leading topped with a bronze figure of
of a bull and a bronze casting of to the Cathedral the Lamb of God, the work of
century on the site of a mosque. a mermaid. It also has a collec- local artist Matias Quetglas.
Although it suffered fire dam- tion of Catalonian paintings, of Menorcan aristocrat, Joan
age, it escaped much of the and some sacred objects made Miquel Saura, stands the P Plaça Nova
destruction during the Turkish of precious metals, including Baroque Capella del Sant This small square is the site of
raid but was heavily remodelled chalices and Communion cups. Crist, built in 1667. Its fanciful the town’s most popular cafés
after 1558. During the Civil War Next to the cloisters is the façade is decorated with stone and bars. Ses Voltes, an arcarded
the Republican militia destroyed Baroque Església de Socors. carvings of fruit garlands and walkway which runs from here
most of its furnishings. masks. The statue of Christ to the cathedral, is one of the
One of the oldest parts of the R Sant Crist above the high altar is said to main streets of the Old Town.
cathedral is the Gothic south Near the bank building that have dripped with sweat The Moorish vaulted arches
entrance that bears stone was formerly the house in 1661 and became the that line the street hide a
carvings of weird creatures good selection of patisseries
Plaça d’es Born, the town’s principal square and the heraldic crests of the and souvenir shops.
Menorcan knights and nobility.
Exploring Ciutadella façades. The most imposing of The main Neo-Classical entrance P Plaça Llibertat
Though there are few traces of these are the Palau Salort and dates from the early 1800s. This charming square situated
Arab rule, Ciutadella has much to the adjoining Palau de Torre- Inside, light filters through the at the rear of the former
offer in the way of architecture. Saura. The latter is embellished stained-glass window to bathe Augustinian monastery is
Numerous opulent palaces and by two handsome loggias and the nave in a gentle glow. well known to all who shop
Gothic and Baroque churches its frontage proclaims the family for food. Its two covered
reveal just how successful the coat of arms above a forbidding P Església del Roser markets, selling fresh meat,
restoration of Ciutadella in the wooden door that leads into a C/ Roser. Tel 971 383 563. fish, fruit and vegetables,
17th and 18th centuries was. courtyard. The aristocratic The façade of this small Arcades of the covered market in Plaça Llibertat are popular with the locals.
The main square in town is Plaça interior is, however, out of church includes a beautiful
d’es Born, a characterful area close bounds. The square also holds 17th-century Spanish Baroque-
to the Gothic cathedral. The several appealing bars and style doorway. Destroyed during Ciutadella
Museu Municipal holds a wide restaurants, perfect for a the Civil War, the church was 1 Plaça d’es Born Museu Municipal
collection of prehistoric artifacts relaxing break. rebuilt and is now used as a 2 Catedral
gathered from all over the island municipal exhibition hall. 3 Església del Roser
and is well worth a visit. R Cathedral PORTAL DE SA FONT Santa Clara AVDA. DE LA CONSTITUCIÓ
Plaça de la Catedral. Tel 971 356 523. P Can Saura and Palau 4 Can Saura and Palau C. DEL DORMIDOR
P Plaça d’es Born Open 10am–4pm Mon–Fri, Martorell Martorell DE LES MONGES
This is a former Arab military 10am–2:15pm Sat. & C/ Santissim. 5 Claustre de Convent de PLAÇA C. DE SANT MI QUEL
SANT
JOAN
Naveta
drill ground and was rebuilt in Work on the cathedral began These two adjacent palaces Sant Agustí CALLE DE S ANT CRISTOFOL C. DE SANTA CLARA Plaça d’es Tudons
a grand Neo-Classical style in towards the end of the 13th were built in the 17th century. 6 Sant Crist C. DE SA MURADETA Nova Plaça Plaça
the 19th century. It is said to be 7 Plaça Nova C. D. SAN T SEBASTIÁ C. DE MAÓ Alfons III Alfons Iii
one of Spain’s most beautiful 8 Plaça Llibertat C. DE J.M. QUADRADO C. DE SANT
Sant Crist
Bus
squares. At its centre stands 9 Santa Clara Catedral Llibertat ELOI Terminal
Plaça
an obelisk marking Any de 0 Museu Municipal Punta na Mari Torre-Saura C.D.ESEMINARI La Ermita
Palau de
la Desgràcia – the “Year of q Plaça Alfons III Harbour C. MAJOR D’ÉS BORN Església del Claustre de Convent de Sant Joan
de Missa
PLAÇA
Calamity”, when Turkish corsairs w Plaça de s’Esplanada D'ES BORN Palau Roser de Sant Agustí
invaded Ciutadella. The square and Plaça dels Pins Ajuntament Salort Can Saura &
is lined with historic buildings, e Harbour Palau Martorell
including the town hall, a AVDA. JAUME I
former palace of the Moorish 0 metres 200 PLAÇA BEN C. DEL NOU JULIOL C.D.ST PERE D'ALCÁNT ARA SANT ISIDRE
governor, as well as the late Castell de S’ESPLANADA EJAMI VIVES PURISSIMA C. DE LA
Sant Nicolau
19th-century Teatre Municipal 0 yards 200 DELS PINS
PLAÇA
C.DE M. JOAN
d’es Born and 19th-century AVDA. DEL CAPIT À NEGRET E
palaces with Italian-style Cafés spilling onto the pavements at Plaça Nova CALA BLANCA
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp150–51 and pp159–61 For keys to symbols see back flap
112-113_EW_Mallorca.indd 112 06/10/17 11:15 am 112-113_EW_Mallorca.indd 113 06/10/17 11:15 am