Officially called the Fortress of Isabel II, its popular name is La Mola
La Mola de Mahón It is known by all the inhabitants and visitors of Menorca, located on the north shore of the mouth of the port of Mahón, majestically presides over the entrance of ships and pleasure boats of the second largest natural port in the world.
Menorca, strategically located in the western Mediterranean and the enormous size of the port of Mahón, the current capital of the island, have made our port a highly sought-after enclave by European maritime powers throughout history.
After several vicissitudes, the port of Maó returned to the Spanish Crown after the Treaty of Amiens.
From that moment on, due to the growing tensions between France and Great Britain and added to the French invasion of Algeria, the Spanish crown decided to fortify the access to the port of Mahón. The lack of sea defences on the island and the dismantling of the Castell de Sant Felip, on the southern shore of the mouth of the port, led Celestino Piélago to build the current Isabel II Fortress in 1848.
In 1872, after years of hard work, the La Mola enclosure was inaugurated, taking advantage of the presence of Queen Isabel II in Menorca, although its construction was not completed until 1875. Once completed, it became and is currently the largest military fortification in Europe in the nineteenth century.
Its most significant parts are of great beauty and well worth a visit, the Queen's Gate, named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, the labyrinthine "mine" that was used for many years as a powder magazine, as well as its huge parade ground that is currently used to celebrate different events that take place in the city. organized in Menorca.
Very interesting are its rainwater systems for collecting water, a very precious asset on the island of Menorca where water has never been too much and where its buildings were famous for collecting such a precious element in times of drought.
The quarry, from which the sandstone "cantons" that were used to build its walls and defenses were manually extracted will not leave you indifferent and will show you the dimension of the work that we can currently enjoy when entering the Port of Mahón .
We can't miss the famous Vickers cannons manufactured in 1933, the jewel in the crown of La Mola, capable of launching their projectiles 35km away, they are one of the most famous attractions of the enclosure and known by all
Menorcans.
The fortress of La Mola consists of three levels of defense, the so-called far defense of which these Vickers cannons are part, the medium defense also made up of artillery and finally the interior defense that would be in charge of riflemen who would defend the fortress in the last place.
It should be noted that one of these cannons that preside over and defend the Port of Mahón was active during the civil war, they can currently be visited and it is worth noting the good state of conservation in which they are located.
Later in 1900 the so-called Sant Jordi channel that separates the Lazaret Island, which was once a peninsula as it was joined by a small isthmus to La Mola. Currently still in use and which gives access to the well-known Cala Teulera, a place of call for boats passing through Menorca and Menorcans who usually spend the weekend enjoying its calm and tranquility.
With the Don Joan, our Glass Bottom Boat, we will set sail towards the mouth of the port along 5 km of inlet, to go out to the open sea through its mouth, leaving the fortress of Isabel II on the port side to stop at the Clot where we can enjoy the seabed and the defense walls of La Mola from the sea.
Then we will access Cala Teulera from where we will have a privileged view of the fortress as well as the watchtowers built by the British, to continue sailing along the cove leaving the walls of the famous Lazaretto de Mahón on the port side and then crossing the Canal de Sant Jordi and entering the channel again. port and continue enjoying the beautiful views it offers.
Without a doubt, an excursion through the history of Menorca that will not leave you indifferent and that will allow you to enjoy sailing through its calm waters from our upper deck or relaxing with a drink in our bar.