During the 18th Century, Minorca was a bone of contention among the British, French and Spanish powers. And with good reason, the Port of Mahon, the finest natural harbour in the Mediterranean, and one of the best in the world, could protect, behind its fearsome forts, the largest fleets of the time in their entirety.
The Utrecht Treaty, signed in 1713, gave place to the first British presence on the Minorca, which lasted until 1755. Richard Kane, the first British Governor, is still fondly remembered for his effective support of agriculture on the island, he introduced the cultivation of the apple, promoted cattle breeding and built roads and reservoirs which are still in use today.
There were two later periods of British presence on Minorca, from 1763 till 1781 and 1798 to 1808. The British left more than their earthworks and ramparts behind. Things as varied as the growth of Mahon, who enthusiastically accepted the opportunities for trade and the abolition of the Inquisition, the sauce we traditionally use on a great many of our dishes, which we still call grevi, the traditional woodworking and boat building techniques and designs and our most popular drink, gin, which we'll talk about in the next section.
The Golden Farm, a summer house near Mahon, is one of the symbols of British presence on Minorca, perhaps as much as the bow and sash windows still to be found in the capital's old part quarter.

imaginary line divides Minorca into two halves, North and South. Even the earth is different on either side of the line; darker, red sandstone with areas of slate to the North.
Pale limestone to the South. The coastlines are also different. Rugged and wind beaten in the North, with Fornells as a haven, except in Northerly Gales. Generally lower with beaches and long stretches of sand in the South.


Although all the South coast is a succession of coves and beaches, there are more towards the ends of the island. Most of the early dwellers on Minorca were to be found at the South Easterly point where the caves were most abundant. Today this area is much influenced by the populous capital, Mahon. Es Castell and Sant Lluis, once part of Mahon are now independent towns. The coast here offers a variety of interesting places.
Es Castell, inside the approaches to the port of Mahon, has its own small picturesque harbour, Cala Fons. Further South we find Alcaufar, an old fishing harbour sheltered in a long narrow cove. The characteristic Minorcan architecture seems to have served as an example for the more recent buildings which blend respectfully into the environment. At the most South Easterly point of Minorca, facing the Illa de l'Aire is Punta Prima, its beach and holiday village making one of the more conventional and busy holiday spots on the island.

Cala Es Talaier.

Continuing on the South coast, heading West, the coves surrounding the small fishing village of Torret, whose 17th Century watch tower reminds us of the one at Fornells: stretch from Cala Binibeca -with a pleasant yacht club - to Cala Binissafúller.




La Cala d'Algairens.
After Cap d'en Font and the coves of Biniparratx and Binidali begin the Peñas de Alaior, the less densely populated high cliffs that reach Cala En Porter, a picture book cove with its beach well protected by the towering cliffs and just a short distance from the prehistoric settlement at the lovely Calas Coves. In one of the cliffs protecting Cala En Porter is the Cova d'en Xoroi, overhanging the sea. It was a prehistoric dwelling, home to a mythical pirate and is now a discotheque and vantage point with a most spectacular view.
The next stretch of coast has excellent, long, sandy beaches followed by a series of coves which are not all easily accessible from inland. Son Bou beach, South of Alaior, is the longest on the island. A little further West are the beautiful beaches of Sant Tomás and Binigaus, to the South of the tiny farming village of Es Migjorn Gran. To get to Cala Escorxada, Cala Fustam or Cala Trebalúger -beaches and cliffs surrounded by pinewoods- you have to cross private farmlands, not always possible, or go by boat. This is a peaceful area far from the busy beaches, even in the height of summer.



Cala Mitjaneta.

Cala Galdana is one of the most attractive tourist centres of the South Coast with a good road running to Ferreries. Nearby are the magnificent coves of Macarella and Turqueta, the former with prehistoric caves. Both are surrounded by pines and well sheltered by cliffs. Both these bays have been defended against any kind of building whatsoever by public opinion and are now legally protected areas.




Cales Coves. After the Punta des Governador and the spacious Arenal de Son Saura we enter the area of Ciutadella, at the South Western end of Minorca. This is a more densely populated area, but has areas, like Son Saura, of great natural beauty, and pretty beaches like Son Xoriguer. Rounding the Cape D'Artrutx we arrive at the Western shore of Minorca. Cala Blanca and Santandria are now tourist centres, although a good many people from Ciutadella still summer here as in the past.

To the North of Ciutadella, after crossing land dedicated to livestock breeding, we reach Punta Nati and lighthouse, the most North Easterly corner of Minorca. The coastline leading to Punta Nati is formed by high cliffs, as in most of the North, there being several caves, Cova des Tabac is a well known one, and promontories like the Cap de Banyos, pleasant coves, Cales Piques, and Cap de Bajoli cove, all on Minorca's Western coast.


Cala Pregonda.
After Punta Nati we again find ourselves on the North Coast which we left at Cala Pregonda on our circuit of Minorca. Before reaching Pregonda there are still several interesting coves Cala Morell, with its prehistoric cave dwellings and modern holiday accomodation, being one of the most popular tourist centres in the North. Further East, Algaiarens, rather difficult to reach by car, has two beautiful, surprisingly large, beaches. Nestling among the Minorcan Pines, with wetlands inland, the sheltered bay offers perfect examples of the Mediterranean beach.

After Cap Gros, to the East we find the Sa Falconera area. Rugged cliffs, inhospitable terrain only broken by three small coves, del Pilar, Moragues and d'en Calderer- which brings us to Cala Barril and the Islas Bledas islets. We're now back in the Cala Pregonda area and can see Cap de Cavallería a few miles distant sheltering Fornells Bay.