With Talayotic Menorca, Spain reaches the 50th inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List
On the paths and roads of Menorca it is impossible not to see some of its Talayotic sites, the beautiful and imposing Taulas and its talayots capture the attention of visitors and are an inherent part of the life of the inhabitants of Menorca, the sea that surrounds us and the sky that covers us as well as the peculiarities The geographical and ecological characteristics of the island led to the development of this culture that is now UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A culture that developed from the mid-Bronze Age (1600 BC) to the 1st century BC coming to an end with the Roman invasion. Despite this and the passage of time, the archaeological sites of Menorca have survived for the same reason that they developed on the margins of the Mediterranean cultures, thanks to the isolation of the island of Menorca.
For centuries, apart from the Mediterranean trade routes, the environment favoured the appearance of the Talayotic culture which, like others, developed and settled at the expense of a peculiar environment, Menorca.
As a result, such a small territory of just 702Km2 is currently home to the highest density of archaeological remains in the world, a fact that encouraged the presentation of the candidacy in 2020 to the UNESCO Historical Heritage Council.
Years later and after an arduous task carried out by the Consell Insular de Menorca, in 2023 it is already a fact and we are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Talayotic Menorca is now part of the heritage of all humanity, a fact that makes each and every one of the inhabitants of the island proud.
Its cyclopean constructions, settlements, sanctuaries, funerary spaces are innumerable but if there is something to highlight are the so-called "taules" and navetas, constructions that are only found here.
Built exclusively in Menorca, they are the two most emblematic constructions on our island and have always been part of the landscape of Menorca. "Taula" means table and its name basically refers to the similarity it has with a table, composed of two rectangular stones and large dimensions.
Two theories determine their function: the 1st defines them as the central pillar of an enclosure covered with beams, earth and branches and the 2nd and almost the most accepted as a central monolith with an undefined symbology of an open enclosure.
In any case, their majesty is undeniable and their cyclopean proportions have led the "taules" to endure to this day in large numbers and in an impressive state of conservation thanks to the respect that the Menorcans have had for them over the centuries.
The navetas, the 2nd of the exclusive constructions in Menorca are funerary buildings of similar utility to dolmens but with clearly different characteristics and shape, their inverted nave shape gives them a different and very characteristic structure.
Less abundant than taulas, the most famous and must-see is the naveta "des Tudons", which we can see from the main road a few km before reaching Ciutadella from Maó.
A perforated slab gives access to the enclosure where the first Menorcans buried their deceased with apparently more complete and assorted grave goods than in other types of burials found on the island.
We can say that a visit to Menorca without walking through some of its archaeological remains is not complete, the sea is the center of our visits to the island, our boats the Don Joan and the Fiesta Rojo will show you the beautiful coast of Menorca, its virgin coves, the immense port of Mahón as well as part of the the maritime history of the island.
But without a doubt, visits to our taulas, navetas and talayots are unavoidable, remains that show the life of the island before the arrival of the Romans in the first century B.C.
Be sure to ask our crews about their favourite sites, they can recommend first-hand the most secret places in Menorca that are not only at sea.
We hope this short article will help you get a general idea of our cultural heritage, which since 2023 has already been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We look forward to seeing you on board!
