Ciutadella: The Menorca Britain Did Not Choose
Balearic Islands, Spain
Badge Unlock
Ciutadella
Complete this challenge to add this badge to your collection.
250
XP
+100 Spain
= 350 total
1 day
Ciutadella: The Menorca Britain Did Not Choose
250 + 100 XP
Ciutadella was the capital of Menorca until the British took the island in 1708 and moved the capital to Maó for the harbour — which is why Ciutadella kept its Spanish and Catalan character while Maó acquired sash windows. The Ottoman fleet sacked it in 1558 and carried off most of the population, an event the town still commemorates. Its Sant Joan festival in June is one of the oldest and wildest in the Mediterranean: horses reared upright into a packed crowd in the Plaça des Born, done by riders whose families have done it for generations.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Work out why the capital moved to Maó in 1708 and what that preserved here
2
of 5
Find out what happened in 1558 when the Ottoman fleet took the town
3
of 5
Come for Sant Joan in June and watch the horses reared upright in the Plaça des Born
4
of 5
Walk the old town, which is Catalan Gothic and Baroque rather than Georgian
5
of 5
Go down to the long narrow harbour and work out why the British preferred Maó's
Work out why the capital moved to Maó in 1708 and what that preserved here
Find out what happened in 1558 when the Ottoman fleet took the town
Come for Sant Joan in June and watch the horses reared upright in the Plaça des Born
Walk the old town, which is Catalan Gothic and Baroque rather than Georgian
Go down to the long narrow harbour and work out why the British preferred Maó's
Before you go
At Sant Joan in June the horses are reared upright in the Plaça des Born.
Sant Joan is genuinely dangerous — horses are reared into a dense crowd and injuries are routine. If you are not confident in a crush, watch from a balcony.
Finding nearby campsites...
About Balearic Islands
Loading region info…
Explore more about Balearic Islands:
Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
250 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
350 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
More challenges nearby
within 100km
Talayotic Menorca: Three Thousand Years of Stone
Spain · Balearic Islands
history
easy
1d
5 km away
The Camí de Cavalls: Right Round Menorca on Foot
Spain · Balearic Islands
adventure
hard
2d
5 km away
Fornells and the Menorcan Tramuntana Coast
Spain · Balearic Islands
food
easy
1d
26 km away
Maó: Six Kilometres of Natural Harbour
Spain · Balearic Islands
history
easy
1d
39 km away
Capdepera: The Bonfires That Took Menorca
Spain · Balearic Islands
history
easy
1d
48 km away
Cap de Formentor: The Road Along the Cliff
Spain · Balearic Islands
scenic
medium
1d
53 km away