TOURISTROD P UCTAND H BOOK BIOSPHERE RESERVE

AGÈNCIA RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA MENORCA Funded by:

Biosfera 36 Angles 1 17/2/11, 10:04 Lighthouse of Favàritx A

Biosfera 36 Angles 2 17/2/11, 10:04 Biosfera 36 Angles 3 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve Environment and landscape

5

Biosfera 36 Angles 4 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

ENVIRONMENT AND LANDSCAPE

The Biosphere Reserve of Menorca has a special connotation if we compare it to other reserves in . In Menorca this affects an entire community and the whole of the island territory that are declared a Biosphere Reserve. We are convinced that a territory of these characteristics is the best place to implement a sustainable development. It makes more sense than ever with the aim of combining the development of a community as a whole to achieve a similar or better standard of living than other communities by always keeping the environmental conditions that should be Geomorphologic formations maintained and improved as time goes by. We can think about the current landscape as Finally, we found some examples of the the outcome of natural and human actions Quaternary period, with a maximum age and factors and their interrelationships. of one million eighteen hundred thousand The natural factors that modelled the years, resulting in the formation of dunes by landscape started in the Island’s own geology. the action of wind, also called Aeolian dune Menorca can be easily divided into two areas fi elds. with completely different geology; on the There are traces of the Palaeozoic in Sa north area known as tramuntana, there are Mesquida, Favàritx and Binimel·là; of the low materials coming from the Palaeozoic, the Triassic in El Pilar and Addaia, with formations Triassic and the Jurassic; on the other hand, made of a kind of clay called gres; of the the southern area or Migjorn is much more middle Triassic around the area of El Toro and homogeneous and mainly dominated by the Port of Addaia; of the Jurassic in El Toro materials coming from the Miocene period. and Fornells, and of the Miocene around the Almost all these rocks have been formed from whole of the southern area of the Island. sediments (both sea and continental ones) Once we have defi ned the Island’s geology, deposited in very diverse periods of time and we can talk about the different elements that conditions. model the landscapes. They can be divided Menorca’s history started about 400 millions into geographical and anthropic factors. The of years ago, at the end of the Primary modelling of the landscape along with the era, during the Devonian period. After the climate factors as well as the geographical Devonian Age came the materials from the localization determines the fl ora and fauna Carboniferous, when the fi rst folding of land existing on the Island. occurred yielding the elevations present on The main external factors that have modelled the Island. the Menorcan landscape are, on the one hand, 5 From the Secondary era, we can fi nd materials the strong winds that in Menorca coincide belonging to periods such as Triassic, Jurassic with the north wind or tramuntana, and on the and Cretaceous. From the Tertiary era, we other, the precipitation rate and its physical can only fi nd materials from the Miocene, and chemical effects. which occupies the entire southern area of These external factors give shape to the the Island. landscape through different processes such as

B Albufera des Grau lagoon

Biosfera 36 Angles 5 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Geomorphologic formations

mechanical, chemical and biological weathering, Out of more than 1,300 species of superior erosion, transportation and sedimentation. plants existing on the Island, more than 6% Weathering is the fragmentation of rocks are endemic, among which are remarkable caused by different meteorological agents. for their rarity the well-known socarrells, This fact becomes very important in the spiny bushes like small cushions that have southern area of the Island, where, due to adapted to strong winds and salt conditions. chemical dilution, caves of karstic origin will These salty conditions of the environment be formed as well as the deep ravines of the will also condition peculiar shapes that make southern area. The effect that living beings bushes develop in the opposite direction of have on the land, such as the roots effect, will the predominant wind direction, which is the also contribute to weathering. transporting agent of the salty aerosol. Another very signifi cant factor in Menorca is There are two climate fl ora communities on erosion, basically caused by the predominant the Island: the oak and wild olive woods. Oak wind. The wind effect will determine different woods are predominant in well-developed plant formations and their adaptations. and deep soils with favourable environmental As for geomorphology, the determining factors conditions, whilst wild olive woods appear in to the formation of new materials are the poorer soils subject to other less favourable weathered material transportation and their environmental conditions. Each of these sedimentation. These factors will give rise to communities has a series of shrub and herb the beach formations and the dune systems species closely related to them. related to them. Almost all we have said about fl ora could be All these elements along with the geographical repeated for fauna. At this point we also will location of Menorca and its climate and fi nd a series of its own or endemic species, 6 isolation features will determine the Island’s mostly represented in the invertebrates 7 fauna and fl ora. These characteristics help group. With regard to vertebrates, the most the appearance of many endemic or exclusive remarkable species is the Balearic wall lizard species of the Mediterranean area or even (Podarcis lilfordi). exclusive to this Island. The populations of If we focus on the general natural systems these species usually are few because of their on the Island, we could consider that in a limited distribution. small territory such as this, about 700 square

Biosfera 36 Angles 6 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

kilometres, there exists much environmental European Community that is in the process diversity. of being declared community interest areas in the Nature Network 2000. Temporary ponds The most outstanding ecosystems that can be contain unique species related to drought and found are: fl ooding periods. In Menorca we can also fi nd coast wetlands Ravines in the southern area (Migjorn) related to fresh water streams and to dune They have been formed throughout many years; systems. For instance, the lagoon of the they are associated to fresh water currents, to Albufera des Grau, which along with all its tectonic movements and to sea level changes. surroundings was declared a Natural Park and Most of them have temporary water streams considered the core of the Biosphere Reserve related to intense rainfall periods, although area. other ravines have permanent waters, such Other important wetlands are the Prat de Son as the ravines of Algendar or Trebalúger. Bou and the Prat de Lluriach. Furthermore, The course usually is winding where a great other systems of lesser importance are La Vall, diversity of fl ora and fauna species can be Son Saura, Es Banyul, etc. found. We must bear in mind that ravines can have about 220 fl ora species related to them, Dune systems of which 26 are endemic. These ravines are Menorca has eight well-constituted dune extremely important when we talk about the systems, seven of which are found on the nesting of birds of prey and water birds. north coast and only one on the south coast. About 40 ravines can be found, 12 of which are The southern one is related to the wetlands of more than 3 kilometres long. El Prat de . It is a typical dune system, The north area ravines are of less signifi cance that is to say, it runs parallel to the coastline. and their water courses are temporary and However, the other seven ones, Es Grau, Son related to rains. Saura, Cala Tirant, Cavalleria, Cala Pregonda, Cala Pilar and La Vall, are exceptional since Wetlands they run perpendicular to the coastline, but This system include temporary ponds, a kind parallel to the main wind direction. of ecosystem considered a priority by the Apart from the abovementioned systems,

6 7

Ravine Temporary pond

Biosfera 36 Angles 7 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Coastal cliff areas This coastal area is a very important element from the botanical point of view, since it shelters most part of endemic species related to hard climate conditions. Among such rare endemic plants we can fi nd the socarrells, spiny shrubs of low height and cushion-like specially adapted to harsh conditions of high salt levels and periods of strong wind. There exist alternative solutions to adapt to these periods, such as the reduction of size, growing into other more resistant species, etcetera.

Islets The island of Menorca has about 35 islets of Dune system different sizes surrounding it ranging from the 550.000 sqm of the Illa d’en Colom up to we can fi nd other ones of less importance the 3,150 sqm of the Illa des Ravells. These scattered around the coast: we can fi nd dune islets are very important because they have systems in Arenal d’en Castell, Binimel·là, remained virtually unspoiled by the human Mongofra, Macarella and Macarelleta. infl uence, which has allowed them to keep Dune systems also involve a particular fl ora populations of the Balearic wall lizard, already related to them mainly represented by the disappeared from the main island, as well sea thistle, the white or common arum lily as they are of use for nesting purposes for (Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng) and different sea birds species. In some of these the commonly called European beachgrass islets we can fi nd hares and goats that can (Ammophila arenaria), very important to fi x also affect vegetation and the wall lizard the mobile dunes. populations. The islet of Illa d’en Colom is part of the Beaches Natural Park of the Albufera des Grau lagoon. In Menorca we should talk about coves rather than proper beaches. Most beaches and coves are related to water courses and dune systems. The sand of these beaches comes from the erosion of rocks of the surroundings and its origin is mainly biotic. One of the sea plants closely related to the sand creation is the Posidonia oceanica, a plant used as a shelter and dwelling of a number of sea organisms carrying a calcareous shell on 8 top, whose skeletons are directly related to be 9 part of the sand in our beaches. Menorca has about a hundred of beaches if we count proper beaches, coves and pebble beaches, with different sand composition depending on the lithology and the composition of the underwater fauna. Socarrell

Biosfera 36 Angles 8 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Inland plants The natural vegetation of Menorca has an approximate extension of 20.000 ha and includes climate plants formed by the communities of oak and wild olive woods, coastal areas of shrubs composed of Menorcan Daphne, savine woods, the myrtle communities and spiny bushes. Oak woods occupy areas with well-developed soils and with favourable conditions, protected from predominant winds and saltiness. There are a series of species associated to this community which are very rich in bushy species. Historically, ilexes were used as raw material to make vegetal coal and as fuel in ovens to make caustic lime. Besides, Wild olive wood the autochthonous pigs from -the black Majorcan pigs- usually grazed in these Both communities of woods are protected by woods. law and are considered to have a high level of Wild olive communities are predominant in protection. poorer soils and in less favourable conditions, where oak woods cannot develop. In general Another community, which is a degradation they are dense woods of low height and community for the other two, is the pine very rich in undergrowth. They have been woods, which cover a large area of the Island, very important from the landscape and mainly in the centre and north-west area. commercial point of view, since they are the An exclusive pine species is prominent in raw material mostly used to build the typical Menorca: the Pinus ceciliae. gates to divide plots and properties and in the making of traditional utensils of the Menorcan countryside.

8 9

Ilex wood

Biosfera 36 Angles 9 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve Culture

11

Biosfera 36 Angles 10 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

CULTURE 1300 BC and the Roman conquest. The village has a public area where several talayots and Menorca has a complete cultural offer, both the taula enclosure are found, the top piece open air and indoor activities. of which has fallen down. The private area With regard to the open-air cultural offer, is made up of more or less round-shaped the Xarxa Menorca Monumental (Menorca dwellings. On the south part of the village Monument Network) will allow the visitors to there is a hypostyle room attached to a circle get to know fi rst hand the testimony of our whose use cannot be still confi rmed. The history, from the megalithic sites to the 20th village has a rainwater collection system. century collections, and also Paleochristian The whole village was also surrounded by basilicas and fortresses dating back to the ramparts. Torre d’en Galmés also has an 18th century. interpretation centre located some metres All details about this Network are collected in before the access gate to the village. a guide designed both for the local residents and for the visitors where, apart from pictures Torralba d’en Salord village of the monuments, it includes a description It is located on the road from to Cala en of them, where they are to be found, their Porter. Its origin dates back to 1000 BC until opening hours and fees, if relevant. the Roman era although it still remained until 27 monuments are covered under this the Middle Age. Its most relevant features are Network although it is always available for two talayots, the taula enclosure, a hypostyle updating. The 27 monuments included in the room, some excavated caves into the subsoil Network are: and some building remains. The taula and its enclosure are part of a horse-shoe-shaped Trepucó talayotic village building for worship with lateral chapels It covers a surface of about 5.000 sqm that, in and the taula itself, erected with huge stone the beginning, were surrounded by ramparts. blocks. Within this space different items Nowadays, only a small sample of the were found that are currently exhibited in the settlement has been kept where two talayots, Museum of Menorca. The golden age of this a taula enclosure and several dwelling remains village occurred during the commercial Punic can be appreciated. Polilobular houses can expansion. be found with a central patio and several peripheral rooms. The village shows two different parts: a community area and then an area of domestic spaces. This settlement was destroyed during the Second Punic War and, thanks to the quick withdrawal, domestic utensils have been kept that would otherwise have been impossible to fi nd.

Torre d’en Galmés village On the road to Son Bou in the municipal area 11 of Alaior, this “tower” is settled on a hill. This privileged place was perfect to keep control of the territory of the major part of the Island’s southern area. Its history dates back to the 1400 BC and survived until the Roman era came. Its moment of glory came between the Taula de Trepucó B Naveta des Tudons

Biosfera 36 Angles 11 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Naveta des Tudons This talayotic monument is located at km 40 on the road from Maó to Ciutadella. It is a funerary monument only found in Menorca. In the construction of this monument a cyclopean technique was used by which average-sized stones were lifted and fi xed with no mortar. This kind of funerary monuments was used to make collective burials. They are called navetas because they remind us of inverted ships (naves).

Son Catlar village It is located at a distance of some 8 km on the road from Ciutadella to Son Saura. This village was founded in the pre-talayotic period Necropolis in Cala Morell and continued until the Roman era. Its main feature is that it is the only village that retains that fl ows in to the cove of the same name. It is the whole of its rampart system, erected with one of the biggest necropolises of the Island. great blocks of stone that surround the entire It was used from the pretalayotic era until the village measuring 1 km long and about 2 end of the 2nd century AC. metres wide. Attached to the rampart, we can fi nd the remains of several towers and in the Fornàs de Torelló basilica village, some vestiges of the taula enclosure, This building is located on the road to Torelló fi ve talayots and different rooms. between the road to Sant Climent and the Me1. It is a small Paleochristian basilica whose Torretrencada village origin was in the 6th century AC when the This site is located about 7 km from Ciutadella Byzantine army had conquered the Balearic on the Camí Vell. This village was populated Islands. It has a nave tiled with a mosaic until the end of the Roman era. It still retains depicting geometrical images, birds and two a taula, a talayot, some excavated caves in the lions facing a palm tree. subsoil and tombs excavated into the rock. Son Bou basilica Torrellafuda village This basilica is located on the beach of Son This village is located at km 37 of the Me1 Bou. It seems to belong to the 5th century AC. road Maó to Ciutadella. This village has kept Outside of its perimeters we can fi nd burials remains of several talayots, burial caves and other buildings probably of monastic dated at the end of the talayotic era, a taula origin. and some remains of dwellings with attached rooms. The taula is remarkable because of its Cathedral of Ciutadella 12 natural cover made of vegetation. This gothic church was founded by Alphonse 13 the Second the Liberal after the conquest Cala Morell necropolis of Menorca in 1287. The construction took This site is located next to the housing the whole of the 14th century and was sited development of Cala Morell in Ciutadella. It is on a spot previously occupied by a Muslim formed of 14 caves artifi cially excavated into mosque. The Cathedral, built with only one the limestone material along a small ravine nave, shows different artistic styles, one of

Biosfera 36 Angles 12 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

the most representative examples of which would be the Capella de les Ànimes [the Souls’ chapel] dated (on the) 1670 and built according to a Baroque style.

Fort Marlborough Located at Cala Sant Esteve cove in the municipal area of , this Fort was erected by the British between 1710 and 1726 along with the Saint Philip’s Castle and the Stuart tower. All these fortresses were used to protect the mouth of the port of Maó. Almost the entire fortress has been excavated in the rock and it offers an exhibition setup that makes visitors feel as if they are living in the times of fort sieges. S’Hostal quarries Tower of Fornells This tower is found in the bay of Fornells. It was are the result of a mechanical extraction of built by the British at the beginning of the 19th materials. Some of the old quarries have been century with the aim to protect the entrance restored and now sustain several gardens. to the bay. The shape of the tower is conical frustum and has a cistern, storage, a fl oor to Molí de Dalt de Sant Lluís accommodate the garrison and an artillery This mill is found at the entrance to the village platform. The museum elements depict and of Sant Lluís. It is a fl our mill driven by the wind place the visitor at the beginning of the 19th that was built at the end of the 18th century century and explain the tower features as to during the short French rule of the Island. This construction and defence. mill is worth a visit that can be divided in three parts: the machinery, recovered with original Castle of Sant Nicolau pieces; then the sails of the mill and its This building is situated on the mouth of complex system of ropes; and fi nally a small the port of Ciutadella, in the Plaça Ferragut museum where old tools of high ethnological square. It was erected at the end of the 18th interest are exhibited. century with the intention to protect the city from sea attacks. Its shape is of a truncated Machinery of the Farinera de s’Arangí pyramid with an octagonal layout and it was This is a fl our factory located in the municipal built with limestone material found around the area of at km 20 on the Me1 road. area. Outside the tower there is a ditch which This fl our factory was built in 1905 and was used is eight metres wide and two metres deep. until 1999 Here we will fi nd an exhibition of the old machinery used. Pedreres de “marès” de s'Hostal 12 These limestone (marès) quarries are found 13 on the Camí Vell road near Ciutadella. They are a group of restored quarries and represent an important part of the ethnologic heritage of Menorca. Within them we will fi nd the oldest quarries, which were worked manually, along with more modern ones. Modern quarries

Biosfera 36 Angles 13 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Museum of Menorca and 18th century paintings, the Renaissance Municipal area of Maó, in the Pla des Monestir church of El Socors with wall paintings dated square. The museum is situated in the old at the end of the 18th century and its organ 18th century Franciscan monk cloister. It is a 1793, several samples of liturgical objects general museum where history of all human and silver and goldsmith pieces of the 17th settlements on the Island is depicted. The to the 20th centuries, as well as a painting rooms devoted to prehistory, old history collection. and the 18th century Menorca are the most Military museum of Menorca outstanding ones. This museum is found at the Esplanada des Castell square. It forms part of an old military Municipal museum of Ciutadella engineers’ barrack. It includes fi fteen rooms of This museum is located in the municipal military exhibition about the Island: canons, area of Ciutadella in the Plaça de Sa Font fortresses models, mock-ups devoted to La square. This museum is situated within the Mola, map collection and engineering tools. old ramparts surrounding the village. It is a generic museum that shows a permanent Cap de Cavalleria Ecomuseum exhibition about the history of Ciutadella It is located in the farm of Santa Teresa in from prehistoric to the Muslim periods. The Es Mercadal. It uses rooms of Santa Teresa museum offers guided visits and teaching farm as an exhibition hall where it informs the workshops aimed at students. visitors about the natural and cultural heritage of this site. Diocesan museum of Ciutadella This building is located at the Carrer del Hernández Sanz-Hernández Mora Museum Seminari. It occupies an old Sant Agustí This municipal museum is situated on the fi rst convent, an architectural complex of relevance, fl oor of the cloister of El Carme church. Itis according to the guidelines of the 17th century a museum about Menorcan people founded where the cloister and the church of Herrera thanks to the donations made by Joan style are to be highlighted. The museum Hernández Mora and Francesc Hernández shelters an archaeological exhibition up to Sanz. This museum seeks to recreate the Roman era, a section devoted to the 17th the inside of a typical Menorcan house, complemented with graphic works of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Painter Torrent’s museum-house In the municipal area of Ciutadella in Carrer Sant Rafel, there is a small museum where one can fi nd about a hundred works of the painter José Torrent along with personal objects and information about the artist’s life.

14 Talatí de Dalt village 15 This village is found on a turn off at km 4 of the road Me1. It is one of the most outstanding prehistoric villages on the Island. It still keeps an elliptic ground talayot and conical frustum cross section, the taula enclosure, a sector of dwellings which still have their roofs and Diocesan museum

Biosfera 36 Angles 14 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

some caves. The talayots and the sanctuary represent the public part of the village and the rest of buildings the private one. This village started its activity at the end of the Bronze era and went on until well after the starting of the Roman era.

Aljub des Mercadal This cistern is located in the Pla de Ses Eres in the town of Es Mercadal. It is a large tank to collect the rainwater that falls on the higher roof with a capacity to collect 273.000 litres. This building dates back to British rule and construction began in 1735. This construction was aimed at supplying the troops with water on their way between Maó and Ciutadella Isabel II fortress as well as supplying water to the town of Es Mercadal. Menorca. It is located in the municipal area of , in the property of the same name. The Fortress of Elizabeth the Second in La Mola, located at the mouth of the harbour of Likewise, apart from the abovementioned Maó. It was erected between 1848 and 1875 Network, Menorca offers a theatrical space after great British pressure. network such as the Orfeó Maonès theatre, The Ateneu de Maó was founded as a people’s the Sala Multifuncional (multipurpose hall) in university extension with the intention to Es Mercadal, the Principal Theatre in Maó and delve into the scientifi c knowledge and the the Casino 17 de Gener theatre in Ciutadella. artistic and literature studies and knowledge. The Ateneu remained open continuously, even Furthermore, as cultural offer, we also have during the worst years of our history and its the library network that links the premises activities are still available to everybody along in Alaior, Ciutadella, Es Castell, Es Mercadal, with the scientifi c and cultural institutions of , Ferreries, Fornells and Sant Menorca, with whom it works very closely. Lluís. Maó has a public library that is not Rodríguez Femenias Reception and Interpretation part of the library network since it belongs Centre of the Natural Park of the Albufera des to the State and is managed by the Balearic Grau lagoon. It is located at km 3.5 from Maó Government. on the road to Es Grau. It is open to the public and it organises visits to observe the fauna, guided outings, leisure activities or teaching Regarding our cultural heritage we must material. mention: 14 15 Town Hall in Maó. Can Salord as a good example of the noble Ciutadella. Can Saura and its Baroque palace. The Castle of Santa Àgueda, which represents the most important testimony to the Muslim

Biosfera 36 Angles 15 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve Arts & Crafts

17

Biosfera 36 Angles 16 17/2/11, 10:04 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

ARTS & CRAFTS Menorca has an Arts & Crafts Centre conceived as a meeting area between the craftsmanship The arts & crafts sector in Menorca has world and society. It is located in the old strongly contributed to the award of Biosphere military barracks in Es Mercadal, which is also Reserve to the Island. This sector has helped characterised for its historical impact. to model the territory to the extent of making it unique, thanks to the building construction The Centre seeks to commit to the design, with limestone - and therefore the reason why brand, image, management, new technologies Menorca is known as the limestone island and, above all, the quality. Apart from offering - dry-stone wall constructions to create an arts & crafts items, it tries to keep alive old immense network of hundreds of kilometres, jobs as part of the historical memory of the wild olive wood gates, etc. Island.

Nowadays, there are still artisans devoted to the manufacture of wild-olive wood gates, to The Centre is divided into four visitors’ areas: erect dry-stone walls and to build houses of limestone, although only in a decorative and Popular arts & crafts garden. It is located testimonial way. outside the building where a series of typical elements of the traditional Menorcan arts & The current arts & crafts in ceramics, jewellery, crafts can be found and also several elements shoemaking… is a legacy of those old craftsmen typical of the Menorcan countryside in an and still keeps intact those old values transferred environment surrounded by autochthonous through new creations. The natural and cultural plants. richness of the Island and its preservation are the result of the work of these artisans and of the Exhibition in the hall-corridor. Here we can involvement of those who have found the perfect fi nd exhibited the prize-winning works of the balance between traditional and modernisation, last editions of the arts & crafts awards and between customs and innovation and between the last editions of the Arts & Crafts Fair of countryside society and the 20th century society. Minorca.

17

Avarca sandals Arts & Crafts Centre of Menorca B Master arader (carpenter)

Biosfera 36 Angles 17 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Audiovisual room. In this room we can watch several documentaries about old traditional jobs and subjects about traditional arts & crafts.

Shop. A place to purchase craftsmanship items, all of them made by different artisans.

Reception. This area is used as the arts & crafts information point. The visitors can obtain here any information available about the artisans in Menorca.

This arts & crafts centre is open throughout the year from Monday to Saturday. Glassmaking The artisans included within this catalogue are: Food (food and drinks), wood and similar, The Department of Economy of the Island light and heat, music, cleaning, stone, leather, council of Menorca has created a guarantee plastic arts, fi bres and fabrics, time measuring brand called “Artesania de Menorca” (arts items, clay, iron and similar, paper and & crafts of Menorca) aimed at recognising cardboard, clothes and shoe wear, glass and the artisan pieces made on the Island and decoration. at identifying the professional artisans who deserve to represent the arts & crafts of

18 19

Arader (carpenter)

Biosfera 36 Angles 18 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Menorca depending on the quality of their July pieces. Likewise, those premises that market Arts & Crafts Fair of Menorca with exhibition the products of at least fi ve artisans who have and sale of artisan products in Es Mercadal. this brand will be authorised to use the brand for their commercial use. Currently 19 artisans August and 3 shops have joined the brand. Brocanters Fair, art and collecting with exhibition and sale of antiques in Es With regard to fairs and markets, every year Mercadal. through the General Offi ce of Commerce, Antiques fair in Ciutadella. a calendar is published of the following different fairs that usually are held throughout September the year: Gastronomic Fair for the Patron Saint of the Festes de Gràcia in Maó January Artistic, food and Agriculture arts & crafts in Birds Fair of Menorca morphological contest Ferreries. “Hen of Menorca” in Es Mercadal. Second-hand cars (FERIAME) in Maó. Sant Antoni Fair of Food and Arts & Crafts in Ciutadella. October Arts & Crafts and Agricultural Fair in Es Sustainability Fair (ECOMEN) in Es Mercadal. Castell. November February Second-hand cars Fair in Ciutadella. Partridge fair in Es Mercadal. Fair devoted to the construction, decoration Stocks Fair in Alaior. and interior design and new technologies for dwellings (HABITAT) in Maó. March Stocks Fair in Maó. December Countryside, agricultural and arts & crafts Fair Christmas Fair with exhibition and sale of in Alaior. Christmas products and food in Ciutadella. Christmas Fair with arts & crafts products in April Es Castell. Leisure, sports and health fair (GAUDEIX) in Maó. Christmas Fair with Christmas products in Gastronomic Show in Es Mercadal. Maó. Book Fair in Maó. Winter Arts & crafts market with exhibition Sant Jordi Fair in Es Castell. and sale of handmade products only made by artisans in Ciutadella May Christmas Fair with shops and local artisans Romeria (traditional parade) in Es Mercadal. in Alaior. International Fashion Jewellery Manufacturers Christmas fair with traditional Christmas Fair (EUROBIJOUX & ACCESSORIES) in Maó. products in Ferreries 18 Menorca horse Fair and Morphological contest 19 in Es Mercadal.

June Ecological agriculture Fair of Menorca, exhibition and sale of ecological products in Es Mercadal.

Biosfera 36 Angles 19 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Art & Crafts market

Furthermore, in Menorca we can fi nd weekly Ciutadella street markets: on Monday in Es Castell, on From June to September, daily, Capllonch Wednesday, in Es Castell and Alaior, on Thursday market. From July to September, arts & crafts in Alaior, on Friday in Ciutadella and on Saturday market in the Cathedral square. in Ciutadella and Ferreries. Maó There are also summer street markets in: From June to August, market in El Carme square.

Alaior Es Mercadal From May to October on Monday and Thursday From May to October, on Saturday and Sundays, we (will) fi nd the travelling market in Cala en there is a market, on the Carrer de la Mar in Porter. In July and August on Wednesday there Fornells. From May to October, on Thursday is the arts & crafts Night Market along the main there is a market on the Carrer de les Roques in town streets of Alaior. Fornells. From the end of June to the beginning of September, on Thursday there is another market Es Castell in the Pare Camps square in Es Mercadal. 20 From June to September you will fi nd a daily 21 market in Calesfons and from June to August, on Es Migjorn Gran Monday there is a creative arts & crafts market. From the 6th of July to the 7th of September, on Tuesday, there is a night market along the main streets of the village.

Biosfera 36 Angles 20 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

20 21

Biosfera 36 Angles 21 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve Agriculture

23

Biosfera 36 Angles 22 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

AGRICULTURE

The island of Menorca covers 701.84 square kilometres, measures 53 km from East to West and 23 km from North to South. It is divided into eight municipal areas and has an approximate population of 88,000 inhabitants. A majority of this population lives in the towns or cities and only a small part lives in the countryside, although over recent years a new housing development model in rural areas has begun. Likewise new activities ever less related to agriculture have come to put pressure on the land and farm exploitations. A result of this pressure was the drafting of Farm house the PTI (Island Territory Plan) that only permits agricultural activities in the countryside. the strong northerly winds affect the Island by From a physical point of view, the Island shows severely limiting its agricultural possibilities. a horizontal and fl at terrain with a maximum In the North, apart from the predominant elevation of 357m, at Monte Toro. winds, we can fi nd the most abundant Geologically, Menorca can be divided into presence of woodland areas on the Island as two well-differentiated parts, the North or well as the largest agricultural exploitations Tramuntana and the South or Migjorn. The and the lowest levels of population. northern area has the highest elevations Contrary to the North, the South of Menorca and is separated from the southern area by is quite fl at, only elevating 100m above sea a fault that goes from the harbour of Maó to level, dotted only with a series of ravines. The Algaiarens. fl at nature of the land, suffi cient drainage, Given the fact that there are no mountains in and farming facilities make this land the Menorca like those in the North of Mallorca, best on the Island for carrying out intensive

23

Ox sheds surrounded by crops B Ravine in Trebalúger

Biosfera 36 Angles 23 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

agriculture. This fact has caused greater property separation and the appearance of one of the most picturesque features of the Island: the elaborate grid of dry stone walls. The countryside holds the most important part of the Island’s heritage, natural resources and cultural and ethnological legacy. In order to understand the current situation of the countryside in Menorca and its future challenges on an island awarded with the Biosphere Reserve label, we must be aware of its agricultural foundations and the structure supporting it. Only this way the Island’s development toward a primarily stockbreeding model can be understood. This model, which started at the end of the 19th century and Aubergine plant continued throughout the 20th century, overshadowed other farm production present a process of a reduction in number of family on the Island to such an extent that it wiped farms and stagnant employment. Furthermore, out an important part of the old agricultural this sector is characterised by an increase diversity and diminished the adaptability in the average surface area of farms by of the sector to new challenges. Agriculture means of concentration, intensifi cation and became a rigid system with a short capacity industrialisation. The result is an increase from to generate added value. An increasing an average of 80 hectares per farm in 1989 to dependence on the exterior and a strong about 120 ha in 2007. A consequence of this fact focus on exportation on an island with many has been the augmentation of the agricultural disadvantages already caused by a double useful surface area from 55 to 74 ha. Therefore, insularity have resulted in Menorca covering the total agricultural surface area used has 70% of the milk quota. increased to as much as 75% of the Island’s Currently, the agricultural sector fi nds itself in territory, which is of about 69,440 ha.

24 25

Cheese from Menorca Typical cold sausages

Biosfera 36 Angles 24 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Forage crops

Menorca has about 330 professional farms, The negative consequence of all this is a most of which are stockbreeding farms and higher exterior dependency on compound 175 produce milk with a total of 60 million kg feed, organic and chemical fertilizers, and of quota per year. higher energy and watering needs. Over the last 25 years, Menorca has gone from In any case, the contribution of the agricultural farms with an average of 10-12 cows and a sector to the Island can be taken into account production of 30-35 litres of milk per animal a from two different approaches: on one day, to 60-70 cows with a production of 40-45 hand, the productivity of the farm as a way litres currently. It has also increased the milk to make agricultural products to be sold in yield with a number of productive days that the markets, and on the other, as a way to exceeds 300 per year. shape the landscape and as another type of environmental country service. Farmers are the largest group managing the natural resources of the Island. Nature is the main cultural heritage source of Menorca, also of natural resources and the largest ethnological legacy. The entire society benefi ts from this heritage. In hopes of solving the problems represented by the model followed over recent years, several initiatives are now being developed so as to increase the farm products’ added value: 24 -Increase and consolidation of ecological 25 farming. Since 1996 Menorca has gone from 50 ha devoted to ecological farming to 3,000 ha in 2007. Since 2008 there has been a cooperative called Cooperativa Agrària Ecològica de Menorca, which strives to promote its members’ products, make collective purchases and Garden produce

Biosfera 36 Angles 25 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Orchards and vegetable gardens

offer commercial and technical assessment to - Menorcan sheep. It is a rustic breed, of elongated improve the products. proportions and average size, weighing between 45 and 65 kg, with white hair and open -Recovering traditional cultures with the sheepskin; it is good for milking and is very intention of yielding production with higher prolifi c. It has also had a genealogical book added value and quality guarantee. The wine since 2001 and from all 86 farms breeding label Vi de la Terra Illa de Menorca could sheep, more than 3,000 animals are of this be highlighted with a production that has breed. increased in four years from 3,000 to 60,000 litres. Also deserving attention is Mel de - Black hen of Menorca. Although the situation Menorca, with more than 120 small producers of this breed is still weak, it is recovering little of honey. And of course, the Gin de Menorca as by little. It is urgent to draft a plan of action to a geographical indication. settle this breed genetically. Currently there

- Recovering of endemic breeds, animals adapted to the physical features of the Island: - Red cow of Menorca. This is a clear example of a typical animal of the Mediterranean landscapes, which for many years was the predominant breed on the Island and that was gradually abandoned until 2002, when it was in danger of extinction. It is a strong, rustic and calm breed with high maternal instinct. 26 It is a medium sized animal with an average 27 weight of 500 kg for females and 900 kg for males. Currently, this breed has an association and a genealogical book dedicated to it.

Cows from Menorca

Biosfera 36 Angles 26 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

is a breeders’ association and an important centre of purity at Sa Granja, which belongs to the Economy and Environmental Department of the Island Council of Menorca.

- Menorcan black horse breed. For the time being, and thanks to the importance of horses in the traditional village festivals, this breed has been able to remain differentiated. Until recently, horse breeding was not a productive activity on its own but complementary to other stockbreeding activities. In 1988, the Associació de Criadors i Propietaris de Cavalls de Raça Menorquina association was founded and today has about 400 members mainly living on the Island. Sheep

- CARB (Biosphere Reserve Farming Contract). feasibility on the farm and the preservation This type of contract, which is voluntary of environmental values possible. In 2008, between the Administration and the farm, there were 13 farms in Menorca with custody began in 2005 with the aim to compensate agreements covering 1,363 ha, throughout the farmers who complied with a series of Island’s territory. requirements in benefi t of the environment. Since its inception, the number of farms signed on has gone from 53 to 146, which means an investment of 262,455€ has increased to 1,262,087.29 € in 2009.

To adhere to these CARB allowances, farms must comply with a series of compulsory requirements such as: having a farmer, having a stockbreeding load not exceeding 1 UBM/ ha, taking on one UTA (full-time professional farmer), not planting transgenic crops, complying with environmental regulations, attending a 30-hour training course, keeping a farm journal to record any actions performed, following a rational fertilizing plan on the basis of soil analysis and depending on cultures, and correctly managing the residues 26 generated on the farm. 27

Territory custody agreement. These are voluntary agreements between a farm and the GOB ecological group with the intention of fostering farm management systems that make the balance between fi nancial Ecological crops

Biosfera 36 Angles 27 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve Tourism

29

Biosfera 36 Angles 28 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

TOURISM informative and legal nature to improve the associate members’ interests, as well as Tourism as an economic activity started in take part in federations or confederations Menorca much later in comparison than of employers and intervene in the regulation in the rest of the Balearic Islands. When in of the relationships between employers and 1968 Mallorca welcomed 1.2 million visitors, employees of the sector. Menorca barely knew what mass tourism This tourism supply is based on quality meant. premises, comprehensive complementary It was not until 1979 that Menorca exceeded offer and pampered environmental conditions. 200,000 visitors although, even today, Menorca offers about ninety swimming areas, Menorca is still behind the other islands including beaches, coves and others. Besides, regarding mass tourism. every year new blue fl ags are awarded as The development of the economic process a distinction for service and environmental coming from tourism in Menorca, though quality. late, has followed the same line as the other Apart from this type of offer, it is necessary islands of the Archipelago until today. This to enhance the advantages of Menorca kind of process called “balearisation” came to in comparison with the rest of the an end during the period when the Island was Balearic Islands so as not to fall into the declared Biosphere Reserve. aforementioned “balearisation” that would This type of tourism has several characterising depend on a non-competitive model inside features: this market situation. “Sun and beach” tourism that is, inevitably, These advantages must include the strongly seasonal and mainly focused on the preservation of the environment as a result of summer months. the delay in tourism development in Menorca, The fact that development was more present since the Biosphere Reserve award and, in certain places and started later, has allowed subsequent signing of the Territory Plan. The the Island to remain better preserved with limits of this kind of offer guaranteed by the regard to its landscape and natural resources. Territory Plan will allow focusing on its own A high standard of living has been achieved as quality. well as high quality service and infrastructure. Proximity of demand since this tourism is based essentially in Europe and air transport is relatively simple. A higher number of extra hotel bed space compared to ordinary hotels. Low use of resources other than the “sun and beach”, such as monumental and cultural options. A protectionist development of the land against excessive development planning. This conventional tourist system in Menorca 29 is organised around a hotel sector association that intends to establish bonds of cooperation and collaboration among employers of the sector to eliminate disloyal competition and the deterioration of prices. It also aims to fi x common services of a technical, Cala Galdana cove B Cala Macarelleta cove

Biosfera 36 Angles 29 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

A sustainable tourism strategy shall be based Those products managed by the Fundació on the cooperation between private and public Destí Menorca are: agents to ensure the environmental quality of the services offered. Convention Bureau Taking this philosophy by the hand, the The Menorca Convention Bureau hopes to Fundació Destí Menorca (FDM) was founded promote the Island as a conference, congress and constituted with the initiative of the and incentive trips destination by offering Island Council of Menorca with the following organisers free information and assessment objectives: service. Furthermore, foreign organisers are To promote and develop tourism in Menorca offered assistance regarding application for and overseas. permits and licenses required in developing To develop new tourism products. their activities, as well as providing statistics, To foster and promote businesses and tourism market studies, trends, etc. premises outside the Island in order to attract The creation of the Convention Bureau is new investors. described as follows: The FDM’s activities are: Convention destination is a branch of tourism The management of the tourist information that can help diversify the offer. offi ces in Menorca. It is aimed at a high-expense level sector, The management of several cultural interest which usually triples the conventional tourist premises and the coordination of the Menorca level expense. Monument Network. It helps to diversify from seasonal tourism. To foster and develop permanent improvement It represents an activity that requires a number of the Island through the Comprehensive System of services available. of Spanish Tourism Quality on Destination, or other similar quality improvement systems. Equestrian product To promote and develop tourist products The FDM is responsible for managing the such as: nautical resorts, horse products, equestrian product called Producte Eqüestre a convention bureau and any other product that l’illa de Menorca, which is funded with the credit can be created in the future. awarded by the Financial State Fund for the The study, research, documentation, information Modernisation of Tourist Infrastructures (FOMIT). and spreading of Menorca’s image. Collaboration with any kind of action with tourist promotion purposes. Management of funds, aids, allowances, credit lines or any kind of incentives that can be of interest for the development of the tourism activity. The Assessment Council of the Fundació Destí Menorca is expected to be constituted, which will be made up of associations from 30 the tourist activity sector and by the town 31 halls around the Island, whose mission is to submit or suggest proposals of those actions considered relevant before the board.

Equestrian tracks

Biosfera 36 Angles 30 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

With regard to this initiative, several actions are In order to achieve these objectives, Menorca being developed to improve and renew public is already represented at national and infrastructures that shall include conditioning international fairs with promotional material. projects of roads and accesses. These actions Furthermore, the intention is to make a more hope to foster those activities related to the specifi c fair only for Nautical Resorts. Menorcan horse and the development of a Menorca is also taking part in the promotional project of tourist signposting around the Island activities fostered by the Spanish Association to include equestrian activity. This project also of Nautical Resorts. includes content drafting and communication With regard to the information regarding tasks related to the Camí de Cavalls (horse Nautical Resorts, there are several staffed tracks) so as to promote it as a main route for offi ces thanks to agreements with different trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding. administrations that try to duly inform visitors This track has been included within the natural about all the activities that can be practised route network as “GR” (Long distance). at the resorts in Menorca as well as supply The main purpose of the equestrian product general information. is to emphasize the equestrian activity offer connecting it to the Camí de Cavalls, and the Tourist Information Offi ce Network improvement of tourist signposting and on This network is made up of six offi ces located private premises to offer equestrian routes in: the port of Maó, the Airport, Ciutadella, and stays. port of Ciutadella, and Fornells. Apart from the common tasks of all tourist information Nautical Resorts offi ces, they are currently trying to sell several In Menorca there are three Nautical Resorts. products related to Menorca such as the They are located in Ciutadella, Fornells and Menorca Monument Network Guide and the Maó. They are non-profi t associations whose Postcard DVD. intention is to unite the nautical product on the Island, and promote it locally and Cultural tourism internationally. Likewise, it intends to diversify The Fundació Destí Menorca will manage from seasonal tourism and to make the sea areas of cultural interest that, until recently, available to everyone. still depended directly on the Island Council, such as:

Naveta des Tudons Torre d’en Galmés, village and interpretation centre. Fort Marlborough Tower of Fornells Trepucó

All these monuments have information 30 panels where their characteristics and main 31 features are described. Fort Marlborough and the Tower of Fornells also have a museum exhibition. The Torre d’en Galmés village is complemented with an interpretation centre supplying visitors with basic information about what they are going to see. Canoe routes

Biosfera 36 Angles 31 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

All these premises have tourist information sports companies, tourist information offi ces, service, public toilets for handicapped visitors craftsmen, guides, taxis or beaches. and information staff at the visitor’s disposal. Companies and administrations to join this The Network includes about thirty monuments national scope project are supplied with free of archaeological and ethnological interest as assessment and technical assistance from the well as museums. Council before they are inspected and receive the quality certifi cate approval. SICTED The FDM is working to develop a quality Film Commissions system in Menorca related to the Spanish The FDM has applied for the inclusion into Tourist Quality Plan (PICTE), whose main goal the Spain Film Commission Network with is to achieve a homogenous quality level at the the intention to diversify the offer and same destination. For this purpose, the global design new products to face new demands implementation of inter and subsectorial and competition. Besides, this could help quality parameters is sought for as well as diversifi cation from seasonal tourism on the the incorporation of the subsectors project, Island. not necessarily tourist, with the fi nal goal of improving company services and the human Should this application be confi rmed, the touch offered to customers. following activities would be developed: Currently, there are fi fty destinations in Spain taking part in this project, which are at the The promotion of the Island as a fi lming same time divided into different types: urban, location, its attendance at fairs, presentations cultural, “beach and sun”, etc. and festivals of the sector. Menorca was one of the nine destinations that Location assessment. collaborated with the project’s design and is To assist with the shooting license proceedings. included within the “sun and beach” typology. To be the link between foreign producers and It includes 140 participating companies from local associate producers. different industries: restaurants, hotels To supply information about accommodation and apartments, shops, car rentals, travel and service companies. agencies, tourist interest centres, leisure and To monitor fi lming carried out in Menorca. To promote the development of local industry and a commercial way to include audiovisual products made by producers within the Menorca Film Commission by attending international markets. Collaboration with other organisms to promote local industry. Other products managed by Fundació Destí Menorca are the Arts & Crafts Centre, the Island Games and several cycling tours. 32 Apart from the activities in which the FDM 33 takes part, in Menorca there are other types of tourism that could be considered alternative which are related to private initiative.

Fort Marlborough

Biosfera 36 Angles 32 17/2/11, 10:05 Menorca Biosphere Reserve Menorca Biosphere Reserve

Lighthouse of Favàritx

Cycling routes Routes related to nature tourism Currently there are six well-signposted cycling Here we will fi nd the different stretches of the routes, from Ciutadella to Ferreries, Ferreries horse track (Camí de Cavalls), an old military to Mercadal, Mercadal to Alaior, Alaior to Maó, route, now turned into part of the natural Maó to Es Castell, and Es Castell to Sant Lluís. route network 200 km long, a great route that surrounds the whole of the Island’s perimeter, Trekking routes crossing different ecosystems and beaches. Such as the route from Punta Nati to Cala Another nature tourism offer is the S’Albufera Morell in Ciutadella, or the route between Els des Grau lagoon Natural Park, which offers the Alocs and Muntanya Mala, or from Maó to Cala option of self-guided or guided visits through Sant Esteve, amongst others. several interpretation routes. There are also related centres such as the Nature Centre of Menorca in Ferreries, which is managed by the ecologist group GOB. Apart from these offi cial offers, Menorca also offers occasional canoe outings, hunting tourism, gastronomy, and more.

32 33

Horse track (Camí de Cavalls)

Biosfera 36 Angles 33 17/2/11, 10:06 Biosfera 36 Angles 34 17/2/11, 10:06 B Sa Mesquida beach

Biosfera 36 Angles 35 17/2/11, 10:06 TOURISTROD P UCTAND H BOOK MENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Published by: Departament d'Economia i Medi Ambient i Agència Menorca Reserva de Biosfera

Text and pictures: Portus Nura Consultores

Printed by: Disseny i impressions

Spanish legal deposit: PM 160-2011

Biosfera 36 Angles 36 17/2/11, 10:06