Torre de Fornells

General information

Destination	Category
Menorca, Spain	Attractions/Entertainment

Program details

Step back in time and explore Menorca’s British heritage with a visit to the Torre de Fornells, a Martello tower built to defend the island during the Napoleonic wars. Located strategically at Fornells harbor, it has been immaculately preserved and looks almost like it would have two centuries ago. The tower has an arsenal and a museum, which recounts life for the garrison that protected Menorca.

Step back in time and explore Menorca’s British heritage with a visit to the Torre de Fornells, a Martello tower built to defend the island during the Napoleonic wars. Located strategically at Fornells harbor, it has been immaculately preserved and looks almost like it would have two centuries ago. The tower has an arsenal and a museum, which recounts life for the garrison that protected Menorca.

London decided to build defensive towers throughout the British Empire at the height of the Napoleonic wars, when French forces were steamrolling their way across Europe with ease. To this day, Martello towers can be seen along the coasts of Ireland, Bermuda, Canada, South Africa and many other countries. In Menorca alone, there are more than a dozen. The British had controlled Menorca from 1708 to 1782 and had again conquered the island in 1798. Within three years, the Torre de Fornells had been built.

The new defensive towers, inspired by one the British themselves had encountered in Corsica, were much more robust than anything that had been seen before and they were located within sight of others to facilitate communication between them.

More like a small castle, Torre de Fornells is circular and made of stone and mortar with the exterior reinforced by blocks of sandstone. The original gateway was on the upper floor and access was through a wooden staircase that could be withdrawn in case of attack. Climb to the top and enjoy great views of Fornells harbor while the small chapel excavated in the rock is bound to catch the eye.



Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm during high season.

Location
Starting point:
Carrer de Tramuntana, 125 - 07748 - Fornells - ES