Fornells

MERCADAL

FORNELLS

Fornells Area: The village and The Bay

The calm waters of the Fornells bay have traditionally offered shelter and refuge. Currently, this cove not only serves as a base for a small shellfish fleet, but during the summer it provides moorings for a large number of leisure boats from all over the world. The cove's vulnerability to potential attacks by invading fleets, a constant concern throughout the island's history, led the inhabitants of Menorca to officially request the construction of a defensive fortress from King Philip II in 1596. However, it was not until 1625, under the reign of Philip IV, that construction began on a fort dedicated to the protection of Saint Anthony, the island's patron saint. Around this fortification and the parish of the same name—now replaced by a more modern facility from the year 1800—this quiet fishing village grew, with its streets breathing the calm and leisurely lifestyle of the people of Menorca. In the year 1782, when, after two British dominations and one French, Menorca returned to Spanish sovereignty, an order was given to demolish this fortress—of which only the underground galleries currently remain—along with the imposing San Felipe castle located in the port of Mahón. One of the first orders from the British governor Sir Henry Edward Fox was to build a new tower at the mouth of the port of Fornells in 1799. In the bay, there is a third military fort, also built by the British, on the Sargantanas (lizard) island. Very close to Fornells is the Tirant beach, with two major points of interest for visitors: to the East, the Playas de Fornells residential area, with its small white houses that imitate traditional Menorcan architecture; and to the West, the tourist interest center of Cala Tirant. In the same bay of Fornells, south of the port, is the "ses Salines" residential area. Its crystal-clear waters, sheltered from the strong North wind, are especially suitable for windsurfing. In front, the Mola de Fornells appears more inaccessible. On its rugged coast is the entrance to the cave of the English and the impressive "na Polida" cave, which can only be reached by sea, from a boat.