Talayotic Menorca, recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
The island of Menorca is much more than just sunshine, picture-postcard coves and pristine and heavenly beaches. It is also home to a prehistoric culture which developed some archaeological features which are the only ones of their kind on the planet. A culture over 4,000 years old which has recently led UNESCO to declare Talayotic Menorca a World Heritage Site. This is something that all of us in the Zafiro family, but especially the Zafiro Menorca team, are really enthusiastic and happy about.
And it’s really no surprise. An island of only 700 km2 is home to 1,586 prehistoric archaeological sites, the highest density in any inhabited location. The UNESCO list includes the best examples of Menorcan Cyclopean and Talayotic architecture. Funeral tombs, circular houses, taula sanctuaries, talayots... below you can learn more about the talayots you must not miss when you visit Menorca, their opening hours and locations.
Keep reading to discover the most iconic monuments and prehistoric sites in Talayotic Menorca.
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The Tudons burial tomb
The “Naveta des Tudons” in Ciutadella is one of the most iconic monuments in Menorca (and also said to be the oldest man-made building in Europe). It’s a group burial site shaped like an inverted nave and built with medium-sized stones and no cement (Cyclopean style).
Opening hours: Monday free. Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 8:15pm. Sunday from 9am to 3:15pm
Price: €2
Entrance: main road from Maó to Ciutadella.
Other nearby sites: the Torretrencada Taula with its unique adjoining pilaster, and the Talayotic walled town of Torrellafuda, also located in the Llanos de Ciutadella area.
The Talayotic town of Son Catlar
Son Catlar is near the pristine beaches of Son Saura and is one of the most outstanding prehistoric sites in Menorca. Spread over an area of more than 42,000 m2, it was in use until 123 BC It still preserves practically its entire Cyclopean wall, the remains of 4 talayots and the largest taula site on the island.
Opening hours: permanent.
Price: free.
Entrance: Ciutadella south circular road (exit for Sant Joan de Missa).
The Son Mercer de Baix naviforme settlement
This settlement in the Ferreries area consists of a set of boat-shaped stone dwellings known as naviformes. The most famous is the one in Cova de Es Moro, the only one that still has its horizontal stone roof slabs, supported by three vertical pillars. It boasts spectacular views over the Can Fideu ravine.
Opening hours: permanent.
Price: free.
Entrance: leave your car in the courtyard of the Son Mercer de Baix estate.
The Sant Agustí Vell talayots
This talayotic site in Es Migjorn Gran (Binigaus ravine) is home to 3 talayots, hypostyle rooms, dwelling circles and a taula enclosure. The most famous talayot has a large circular chamber supported by two monolithic pillars.
Opening hours: Saturday from 10am to 8pm
Price: free.
Entrance: Me-18 road from Migjorn Gran to San Tomás.
Other nearby visits: the hypostyle storage chamber at Es Galliner de Madona in the San Cristóbal region.
The Trepucó talayot and taula
Trepucó is one of the largest Talayotic settlements in Menorca. It preserves part of the original walls with two square towers, two talayots, the taula enclosure, remains of dwellings and a necropolis with two caves. The widest talayot in the Balearic Islands and the tallest taula (almost 5 metres) stand at the centre of a star-shaped fortification.
Opening hours: permanent.
Price: free.
Entrance: Maó roundabout (roundabout on the Trepucó road).
The Torres d'en Galmes circular houses
This is the best-preserved prehistoric settlement in the Balearic Islands. It features 3 large talayots and the best example of circular houses in Menorca.
Opening hours: Monday free. Tuesday from 9am to 3:45pm. Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 8:30pm.
Price: €3.
Entrance: 5 km from the town of Alaior (Son Bou road).
Other nearby visits: see the megalithic tomb of Ses Roques Llises.
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