TOURIST PRODUCT HANDBOOK MENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

TOURIST PRODUCT HANDBOOKMENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

AGÈNCIA RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA MENORCAFunded by:

Biosfera 36 Angles 17/2/11, 10:041

Lighthouse of Favàritx A



Menorca Biosphere ReserveMenorca Biosphere Reserve

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Environment and landscape



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ENVIRONMENT AND LANDSCAPE

The Biosphere Reserve of Menorca has a special connotation if we compare it to other reserves in Spain. 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 maintained and improved as time goes by. We can think about the current landscape as the outcome of natural and human actions and factors and their interrelationships. The natural factors that modelled the landscape started in the Island’s own geology. Menorca can be easily divided into two areas with completely different geology; on the north area known as tramuntana, there are materials coming from the Palaeozoic, the Triassic and the Jurassic; on the other hand, the southern area or Migjorn is much more homogeneous and mainly dominated by materials coming from the Miocene period. Almost all these rocks have been formed from sediments (both sea and continental ones) deposited in very diverse periods of time and conditions.Menorca’s history started about 400 millions of years ago, at the end of the Primary era, during the Devonian period. After the Devonian Age came the materials from the Carboniferous, when the fi rst folding of land occurred yielding the elevations present on the Island. From the Secondary era, we can fi nd materials belonging to periods such as Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. From the Tertiary era, we can only fi nd materials from the Miocene, which occupies the entire southern area of the Island.

Finally, we found some examples of the Quaternary period, with a maximum age of one million eighteen hundred thousand years, resulting in the formation of dunes by the action of wind, also called Aeolian dune fi elds. There are traces of the Palaeozoic in Sa Mesquida, Favàritx and Binimel·là; of the low Triassic in El Pilar and Addaia, with formations made of a kind of clay called gres; of the middle Triassic around the area of El Toro and the Port of Addaia; of the Jurassic in El Toro and Fornells, and of the Miocene around the whole of the southern area of the Island. Once we have defi ned the Island’s geology, we can talk about the different elements that model the landscapes. They can be divided into geographical and anthropic factors. The modelling of the landscape along with the climate factors as well as the geographical localization determines the fl ora and fauna existing on the Island. The main external factors that have modelled the Menorcan landscape are, on the one hand, the strong winds that in Menorca coincide with the north wind or tramuntana, and on the other, the precipitation rate and its physical and chemical effects. These external factors give shape to the landscape through different processes such as

Geomorphologic formations

B Albufera des Grau lagoon


Menorca Biosphere Reserve

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mechanical, chemical and biological weathering, erosion, transportation and sedimentation. Weathering is the fragmentation of rocks caused by different meteorological agents. This fact becomes very important in the southern area of the Island, where, due to chemical dilution, caves of karstic origin will be formed as well as the deep ravines of the southern area. The effect that living beings have on the land, such as the roots effect, will also contribute to weathering.Another very signifi cant factor in Menorca is erosion, basically caused by the predominant wind. The wind effect will determine different plant formations and their adaptations. As for geomorphology, the determining factors to the formation of new materials are the weathered material transportation and their sedimentation. These factors will give rise to the beach formations and the dune systems related to them. All these elements along with the geographical location of Menorca and its climate and isolation features will determine the Island’s fauna and fl ora. These characteristics help the appearance of many endemic or exclusive species of the Mediterranean area or even exclusive to this Island. The populations of these species usually are few because of their limited distribution.

Out of more than 1,300 species of superior plants existing on the Island, more than 6% are endemic, among which are remarkable for their rarity the well-known socarrells, spiny bushes like small cushions that have adapted to strong winds and salt conditions. These salty conditions of the environment will also condition peculiar shapes that make bushes develop in the opposite direction of the predominant wind direction, which is the transporting agent of the salty aerosol. There are two climate fl ora communities on the Island: the oak and wild olive woods. Oak woods are predominant in well-developed and deep soils with favourable environmental conditions, whilst wild olive woods appear in poorer soils subject to other less favourable environmental conditions. Each of these communities has a series of shrub and herb species closely related to them.Almost all we have said about fl ora could be repeated for fauna. At this point we also will fi nd a series of its own or endemic species, mostly represented in the invertebrates group. With regard to vertebrates, the most remarkable species is the Balearic wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi).If we focus on the general natural systems on the Island, we could consider that in a small territory such as this, about 700 square

Geomorphologic formations



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kilometres, there exists much environmental diversity.

The most outstanding ecosystems that can be found are:

Ravines in the southern area (Migjorn)They have been formed throughout many years; they are associated to fresh water currents, to tectonic movements and to sea level changes. Most of them have temporary water streams related to intense rainfall periods, although other ravines have permanent waters, such as the ravines of Algendar or Trebalúger. The course usually is winding where a great diversity of fl ora and fauna species can be found. We must bear in mind that ravines can have about 220 fl ora species related to them, of which 26 are endemic. These ravines are extremely important when we talk about the nesting of birds of prey and water birds. About 40 ravines can be found, 12 of which are more than 3 kilometres long. The north area ravines are of less signifi cance and their water courses are temporary and related to rains.

WetlandsThis system include temporary ponds, a kind of ecosystem considered a priority by the

European Community that is in the process of being declared community interest areas in the Nature Network 2000. Temporary ponds contain unique species related to drought and fl ooding periods.In Menorca we can also fi nd coast wetlands related to fresh water streams and to dune systems. For instance, the lagoon of the Albufera des Grau, which along with all its surroundings was declared a Natural Park and considered the core of the Biosphere Reserve area. Other important wetlands are the Prat de Son Bou and the Prat de Lluriach. Furthermore, other systems of lesser importance are La Vall, Son Saura, Es Banyul, etc.

Dune systemsMenorca has eight well-constituted dune systems, seven of which are found on the north coast and only one on the south coast. The southern one is related to the wetlands of El Prat de Son Bou. It is a typical dune system, that is to say, it runs parallel to the coastline. However, the other seven ones, Es Grau, Son Saura, Cala Tirant, Cavalleria, Cala Pregonda, Cala Pilar and La Vall, are exceptional since they run perpendicular to the coastline, but parallel to the main wind direction.Apart from the abovementioned systems,

Ravine Temporary pond



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we can fi nd other ones of less importance scattered around the coast: we can fi nd dune systems in Arenal d’en Castell, Binimel·là, Mongofra, Macarella and Macarelleta.Dune systems also involve a particular fl ora related to them mainly represented by the sea thistle, the white or common arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng) and the commonly called European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria), very important to fi x the mobile dunes.

BeachesIn 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 top, whose skeletons are directly related to be 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.

Coastal cliff areasThis 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.

IsletsThe island of Menorca has about 35 islets of different sizes surrounding it ranging from the 550.000 sqm of the Illa d’en Colom up to the 3,150 sqm of the Illa des Ravells. These islets are very important because they have remained virtually unspoiled by the human infl uence, which has allowed them to keep populations of the Balearic wall lizard, already disappeared from the main island, as well as they are of use for nesting purposes for different sea birds species. In some of these islets we can fi nd hares and goats that can also affect vegetation and the wall lizard populations.The islet of Illa d’en Colom is part of the Natural Park of the Albufera des Grau lagoon.

Dune system

Socarrell



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Inland plantsThe 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, the autochthonous pigs from Mallorca -the black Majorcan pigs- usually grazed in these woods. Wild olive communities are predominant in poorer soils and in less favourable conditions, where oak woods cannot develop. In general they are dense woods of low height and very rich in undergrowth. They have been very important from the landscape and commercial point of view, since they are the raw material mostly used to build the typical gates to divide plots and properties and in the making of traditional utensils of the Menorcan countryside.

Both communities of woods are protected by law and are considered to have a high level of protection.

Another community, which is a degradation community for the other two, is the pine woods, which cover a large area of the Island, mainly in the centre and north-west area. An exclusive pine species is prominent in Menorca: the Pinus ceciliae.

Wild olive wood

Ilex wood



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Culture



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CULTURE

Menorca has a complete cultural offer, both open air and indoor activities.With regard to the open-air cultural offer, the Xarxa Menorca Monumental (Menorca Monument Network) will allow the visitors to get to know fi rst hand the testimony of our history, from the megalithic sites to the 20th century collections, and also Paleochristian basilicas and fortresses dating back to the 18th century. All details about this Network are collected in a guide designed both for the local residents and for the visitors where, apart from pictures of the monuments, it includes a description of them, where they are to be found, their opening hours and fees, if relevant. 27 monuments are covered under this Network although it is always available for updating. The 27 monuments included in the Network are:

Trepucó talayotic villageIt covers a surface of about 5.000 sqm that, in the beginning, were surrounded by ramparts. Nowadays, only a small sample of the settlement has been kept where two talayots, a taula enclosure and several dwelling remains can be appreciated. Polilobular houses can 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 villageOn the road to Son Bou in the municipal area 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

1300 BC and the Roman conquest. The village has a public area where several talayots and the taula enclosure are found, the top piece of which has fallen down. The private area is made up of more or less round-shaped dwellings. On the south part of the village there is a hypostyle room attached to a circle whose use cannot be still confi rmed. The village has a rainwater collection system. The whole village was also surrounded by ramparts. Torre d’en Galmés also has an interpretation centre located some metres before the access gate to the village.

Torralba d’en Salord villageIt is located on the road from Alaior to Cala en Porter. Its origin dates back to 1000 BC until the Roman era although it still remained until the Middle Age. Its most relevant features are two talayots, the taula enclosure, a hypostyle room, some excavated caves into the subsoil and some building remains. The taula and its enclosure are part of a horse-shoe-shaped building for worship with lateral chapels and the taula itself, erected with huge stone blocks. Within this space different items were found that are currently exhibited in the Museum of Menorca. The golden age of this village occurred during the commercial Punic expansion.

Taula de Trepucó

B Naveta des Tudons



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Naveta des TudonsThis 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 villageIt 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 and continued until the Roman era. Its main feature is that it is the only village that retains the whole of its rampart system, erected with great blocks of stone that surround the entire village measuring 1 km long and about 2 metres wide. Attached to the rampart, we can fi nd the remains of several towers and in the village, some vestiges of the taula enclosure, fi ve talayots and different rooms.

Torretrencada villageThis site is located about 7 km from Ciutadella on the Camí Vell. This village was populated until the end of the Roman era. It still retains a taula, a talayot, some excavated caves in the subsoil and tombs excavated into the rock.

Torrellafuda villageThis village is located at km 37 of the Me1 road Maó to Ciutadella. This village has kept remains of several talayots, burial caves dated at the end of the talayotic era, a taula and some remains of dwellings with attached rooms. The taula is remarkable because of its natural cover made of vegetation.

Cala Morell necropolisThis site is located next to the housing development of Cala Morell in Ciutadella. It is formed of 14 caves artifi cially excavated into the limestone material along a small ravine

that fl ows in to the cove of the same name. It is one of the biggest necropolises of the Island. It was used from the pretalayotic era until the end of the 2nd century AC.

Fornàs de Torelló basilicaThis building is located on the road to Torelló between the road to Sant Climent and the Me1. It is a small Paleochristian basilica whose origin was in the 6th century AC when the Byzantine army had conquered the Balearic Islands. It has a nave tiled with a mosaic depicting geometrical images, birds and two lions facing a palm tree.

Son Bou basilicaThis basilica is located on the beach of Son Bou. It seems to belong to the 5th century AC. Outside of its perimeters we can fi nd burials and other buildings probably of monastic origin.

Cathedral of CiutadellaThis gothic church was founded by Alphonse the Second the Liberal after the conquest of Menorca in 1287. The construction took the whole of the 14th century and was sited on a spot previously occupied by a Muslim mosque. The Cathedral, built with only one nave, shows different artistic styles, one of

Necropolis in Cala Morell



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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 Es Castell, 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.

Tower of FornellsThis tower is found in the bay of Fornells. It was built by the British at the beginning of the 19th century with the aim to protect the entrance to the bay. The shape of the tower is conical frustum and has a cistern, storage, a fl oor to accommodate the garrison and an artillery platform. The museum elements depict and place the visitor at the beginning of the 19th century and explain the tower features as to construction and defence.

Castle of Sant NicolauThis building is situated on the mouth of the port of Ciutadella, in the Plaça Ferragut square. It was erected at the end of the 18th century with the intention to protect the city from sea attacks. Its shape is of a truncated pyramid with an octagonal layout and it was built with limestone material found around the area. Outside the tower there is a ditch which is eight metres wide and two metres deep.

Pedreres de “marès” de s'HostalThese limestone (marès) quarries are found marès) quarries are found marèson 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

are the result of a mechanical extraction of materials. Some of the old quarries have been restored and now sustain several gardens.

Molí de Dalt de Sant LluísThis mill is found at the entrance to the village of Sant Lluís. It is a fl our mill driven by the wind that was built at the end of the 18th century during the short French rule of the Island. This mill is worth a visit that can be divided in three parts: the machinery, recovered with original pieces; then the sails of the mill and its complex system of ropes; and fi nally a small museum where old tools of high ethnological interest are exhibited.

Machinery of the Farinera de s’ArangíThis is a fl our factory located in the municipal area of Es Mercadal at km 20 on the Me1 road. This fl our factory was built in 1905 and was used until 1999 Here we will fi nd an exhibition of the old machinery used.

S’Hostal quarries



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Museum of MenorcaMunicipal area of Maó, in the Pla des Monestir square. The museum is situated in the old 18th century Franciscan monk cloister. It is a general museum where history of all human settlements on the Island is depicted. The rooms devoted to prehistory, old history and the 18th century Menorca are the most outstanding ones.

Municipal museum of CiutadellaThis museum is located in the municipal area of Ciutadella in the Plaça de Sa Font square. This museum is situated within the old ramparts surrounding the village. It is a generic museum that shows a permanent exhibition about the history of Ciutadella from prehistoric to the Muslim periods. The museum offers guided visits and teaching workshops aimed at students.

Diocesan museum of CiutadellaThis building is located at the Carrer del Seminari. It occupies an old Sant Agustí convent, an architectural complex of relevance, according to the guidelines of the 17th century where the cloister and the church of Herrera style are to be highlighted. The museum shelters an archaeological exhibition up to the Roman era, a section devoted to the 17th

and 18th century paintings, the Renaissance church of El Socors with wall paintings dated at the end of the 18th century and its organ 1793, several samples of liturgical objects and silver and goldsmith pieces of the 17th to the 20th centuries, as well as a painting collection.Military museum of MenorcaThis museum is found at the Esplanada des Castell square. It forms part of an old military engineers’ barrack. It includes fi fteen rooms of military exhibition about the Island: canons, fortresses models, mock-ups devoted to La Mola, map collection and engineering tools.

Cap de Cavalleria EcomuseumIt is located in the farm of Santa Teresa in Es Mercadal. It uses rooms of Santa Teresa farm as an exhibition hall where it informs the visitors about the natural and cultural heritage of this site.

Hernández Sanz-Hernández Mora MuseumThis municipal museum is situated on the fi rst fl oor of the cloister of El Carme church. It is a museum about Menorcan people founded thanks to the donations made by Joan Hernández Mora and Francesc Hernández Sanz. This museum seeks to recreate the inside of a typical Menorcan house, complemented with graphic works of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Painter Torrent’s museum-houseIn 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.

Talatí de Dalt villageThis 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



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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 MercadalThis 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 as well as supplying water to the town of Es Mercadal.

Likewise, apart from the abovementioned Network, Menorca offers a theatrical space network such as the Orfeó Maonès theatre, the Sala Multifuncional (multipurpose hall) in Es Mercadal, the Principal Theatre in Maó and the Casino 17 de Gener theatre in Ciutadella.

Furthermore, as cultural offer, we also have the library network that links the premises in Alaior, Ciutadella, Es Castell, Es Mercadal, Es Migjorn Gran, Ferreries, Fornells and Sant Lluís. Maó has a public library that is not part of the library network since it belongs to the State and is managed by the Balearic Government.

Regarding our cultural heritage we must mention:

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

Menorca. It is located in the municipal area of Ferreries, in the property of the same name.The Fortress of Elizabeth the Second in La Mola, located at the mouth of the harbour of Maó. It was erected between 1848 and 1875 after great British pressure.The Ateneu de Maó was founded as a people’s university extension with the intention to delve into the scientifi c knowledge and the artistic and literature studies and knowledge. The Ateneu remained open continuously, even during the worst years of our history and its activities are still available to everybody along with the scientifi c and cultural institutions of Menorca, with whom it works very closely.Rodríguez Femenias Reception and Interpretation Centre of the Natural Park of the Albufera des Grau lagoon. It is located at km 3.5 from Maó 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 material.

Isabel II fortress



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Arts & Crafts



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ARTS & CRAFTS

The arts & crafts sector in Menorca has strongly contributed to the award of Biosphere Reserve to the Island. This sector has helped to model the territory to the extent of making it unique, thanks to the building construction with limestone - and therefore the reason why Menorca is known as the limestone island - dry-stone wall constructions to create an immense network of hundreds of kilometres, wild olive wood gates, etc.

Nowadays, there are still artisans devoted to the manufacture of wild-olive wood gates, to erect dry-stone walls and to build houses of limestone, although only in a decorative and testimonial way.

The current arts & crafts in ceramics, jewellery, shoemaking… is a legacy of those old craftsmen and still keeps intact those old values transferred through new creations. The natural and cultural richness of the Island and its preservation are the result of the work of these artisans and of the involvement of those who have found the perfect balance between traditional and modernisation, between customs and innovation and between countryside society and the 20th century society.

Menorca has an Arts & Crafts Centre conceived as a meeting area between the craftsmanship world and society. It is located in the old military barracks in Es Mercadal, which is also characterised for its historical impact.

The Centre seeks to commit to the design, brand, image, management, new technologies and, above all, the quality. Apart from offering arts & crafts items, it tries to keep alive old jobs as part of the historical memory of the Island.

The Centre is divided into four visitors’ areas:

Popular arts & crafts garden. It is located outside the building where a series of typical elements of the traditional Menorcan arts & crafts can be found and also several elements typical of the Menorcan countryside in an environment surrounded by autochthonous plants.

Exhibition in the hall-corridor. Here we can fi nd exhibited the prize-winning works of the last editions of the arts & crafts awards and the last editions of the Arts & Crafts Fair of Minorca.

Avarca sandals Arts & Crafts Centre of Menorca

B Master arader (carpenter)



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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.

The artisans included within this catalogue are: Food (food and drinks), wood and similar, light and heat, music, cleaning, stone, leather, plastic arts, fi bres and fabrics, time measuring items, clay, iron and similar, paper and cardboard, clothes and shoe wear, glass and decoration.

The Department of Economy of the Island council of Menorca has created a guarantee brand called “Artesania de Menorca” (arts & crafts of Menorca) aimed at recognising the artisan pieces made on the Island and at identifying the professional artisans who deserve to represent the arts & crafts of

Glassmaking

Arader (carpenter)



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Menorca depending on the quality of their pieces. Likewise, those premises that market the products of at least fi ve artisans who have this brand will be authorised to use the brand for their commercial use. Currently 19 artisans and 3 shops have joined the brand.

With regard to fairs and markets, every year through the General Offi ce of Commerce, a calendar is published of the following different fairs that usually are held throughout the year:

JanuaryBirds Fair of Menorca morphological contest “Hen of Menorca” in Es Mercadal.Sant Antoni Fair of Food and Arts & Crafts in Ciutadella.Arts & Crafts and Agricultural Fair in Es Castell.

FebruaryPartridge fair in Es Mercadal.Stocks Fair in Alaior.

MarchStocks Fair in Maó.Countryside, agricultural and arts & crafts Fair in Alaior.

AprilLeisure, sports and health fair (GAUDEIX) in Maó.Gastronomic Show in Es Mercadal.Book Fair in Maó.Sant Jordi Fair in Es Castell.

MayRomeria (traditional parade) in Es Mercadal.International Fashion Jewellery Manufacturers Fair (EUROBIJOUX & ACCESSORIES) in Maó.Menorca horse Fair and Morphological contest in Es Mercadal.

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

JulyArts & Crafts Fair of Menorca with exhibition and sale of artisan products in Es Mercadal.

AugustBrocanters Fair, art and collecting with exhibition and sale of antiques in Es Mercadal.Antiques fair in Ciutadella.

SeptemberGastronomic Fair for the Patron Saint of the Festes de Gràcia in MaóArtistic, food and Agriculture arts & crafts in Ferreries.Second-hand cars (FERIAME) in Maó.

OctoberSustainability Fair (ECOMEN) in Es Mercadal.

NovemberSecond-hand cars Fair in Ciutadella.Fair devoted to the construction, decoration and interior design and new technologies for dwellings (HABITAT) in Maó.

DecemberChristmas Fair with exhibition and sale of Christmas products and food in Ciutadella.Christmas Fair with arts & crafts products in Es Castell.Christmas Fair with Christmas products in Maó.Winter Arts & crafts market with exhibition and sale of handmade products only made by artisans in CiutadellaChristmas Fair with shops and local artisans in Alaior.Christmas fair with traditional Christmas products in Ferreries



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Furthermore, in Menorca we can fi nd weekly street markets: on Monday in Es Castell, on Wednesday, in Es Castell and Alaior, on Thursday in Alaior, on Friday in Ciutadella and on Saturday in Ciutadella and Ferreries.

There are also summer street markets in:

AlaiorFrom May to October on Monday and Thursday we (will) fi nd the travelling market in Cala en Porter. In July and August on Wednesday there is the arts & crafts Night Market along the main town streets of Alaior.

Es CastellFrom June to September you will fi nd a daily market in Calesfons and from June to August, on Monday there is a creative arts & crafts market.

CiutadellaFrom June to September, daily, Capllonch market. From July to September, arts & crafts market in the Cathedral square.

MaóFrom June to August, market in El Carme square.

Es MercadalFrom May to October, on Saturday and Sundays, there is a market, on the Carrer de la Mar in Fornells. From May to October, on Thursday there is a market on the Carrer de les Roques in Fornells. From the end of June to the beginning of September, on Thursday there is another market in the Pare Camps square in Es Mercadal.

Es Migjorn GranFrom the 6th of July to the 7th of September, on Tuesday, there is a night market along the main streets of the village.

Art & Crafts market



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Agriculture



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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 the PTI (Island Territory Plan) that only permits agricultural activities in the countryside. From a physical point of view, the Island shows a horizontal and fl at terrain with a maximum elevation of 357m, at Monte Toro. Geologically, Menorca can be divided into two well-differentiated parts, the North or Tramuntana and the South or Migjorn. The northern area has the highest elevations and is separated from the southern area by a fault that goes from the harbour of Maó to Algaiarens.Given the fact that there are no mountains in Menorca like those in the North of Mallorca,

the strong northerly winds affect the Island by severely limiting its agricultural possibilities. In the North, apart from the predominant winds, we can fi nd the most abundant presence of woodland areas on the Island as well as the largest agricultural exploitations and the lowest levels of population. Contrary to the North, the South of Menorca is quite fl at, only elevating 100m above sea level, dotted only with a series of ravines. The fl at nature of the land, suffi cient drainage, and farming facilities make this land the best on the Island for carrying out intensive

Ox sheds surrounded by crops

Farm house

B Ravine in Trebalúger



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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 continued throughout the 20th century, overshadowed other farm production present on the Island to such an extent that it wiped out an important part of the old agricultural diversity and diminished the adaptability of the sector to new challenges. Agriculture became a rigid system with a short capacity to generate added value. An increasing dependence on the exterior and a strong focus on exportation on an island with many disadvantages already caused by a double insularity have resulted in Menorca covering 70% of the Balearic Islands milk quota.Currently, the agricultural sector fi nds itself in

a process of a reduction in number of family farms and stagnant employment. Furthermore, this sector is characterised by an increase in the average surface area of farms by means of concentration, intensifi cation and industrialisation. The result is an increase from an average of 80 hectares per farm in 1989 to about 120 ha in 2007. A consequence of this fact has been the augmentation of the agricultural useful surface area from 55 to 74 ha. Therefore, the total agricultural surface area used has increased to as much as 75% of the Island’s territory, which is of about 69,440 ha.

Cheese from Menorca Typical cold sausages

Aubergine plant



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Menorca has about 330 professional farms, most of which are stockbreeding farms and 175 produce milk with a total of 60 million kg of quota per year. Over the last 25 years, Menorca has gone from farms with an average of 10-12 cows and a production of 30-35 litres of milk per animal a day, to 60-70 cows with a production of 40-45 litres currently. It has also increased the milk yield with a number of productive days that exceeds 300 per year.

The negative consequence of all this is a higher exterior dependency on compound feed, organic and chemical fertilizers, and higher energy and watering needs.In any case, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the Island can be taken into account from two different approaches: on one hand, the productivity of the farm as a way to make agricultural products to be sold in the markets, and on the other, as a way to 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:-Increase and consolidation of ecological 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

Forage crops

Garden produce



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offer commercial and technical assessment to improve the products.

-Recovering traditional cultures with the intention of yielding production with higher added value and quality guarantee. The wine label Vi de la Terra Illa de Menorca could be highlighted with a production that has increased in four years from 3,000 to 60,000 litres. Also deserving attention is Mel de Menorca, with more than 120 small producers of honey. And of course, the Gin de Menorca as a geographical indication.

- 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. It is a medium sized animal with an average weight of 500 kg for females and 900 kg for males. Currently, this breed has an association and a genealogical book dedicated to it.

- Menorcan sheep. It is a rustic breed, of elongated proportions and average size, weighing between 45 and 65 kg, with white hair and open sheepskin; it is good for milking and is very prolifi c. It has also had a genealogical book since 2001 and from all 86 farms breeding sheep, more than 3,000 animals are of this breed.

- Black hen of Menorca. Although the situation of this breed is still weak, it is recovering little by little. It is urgent to draft a plan of action to settle this breed genetically. Currently there

Cows from Menorca

Orchards and vegetable gardens



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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.

- CARB (Biosphere Reserve Farming Contract). This type of contract, which is voluntary between the Administration and the farm, began in 2005 with the aim to compensate farmers who complied with a series of 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 generated on the farm.

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

feasibility on the farm and the preservation of environmental values possible. In 2008, there were 13 farms in Menorca with custody agreements covering 1,363 ha, throughout the Island’s territory.

Ecological crops

Sheep



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Tourism



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TOURISM

Tourism as an economic activity started in Menorca much later in comparison than in the rest of the Balearic Islands. When in 1968 Mallorca welcomed 1.2 million visitors, Menorca barely knew what mass tourism meant. It was not until 1979 that Menorca exceeded 200,000 visitors although, even today, Menorca is still behind the other islands regarding mass tourism. The development of the economic process coming from tourism in Menorca, though late, has followed the same line as the other islands of the Archipelago until today. This kind of process called “balearisation” came to an end during the period when the Island was declared Biosphere Reserve. This type of tourism has several characterising features: “Sun and beach” tourism that is, inevitably, strongly seasonal and mainly focused on the summer months.The fact that development was more present in certain places and started later, has allowed the Island to remain better preserved with regard to its landscape and natural resources.A high standard of living has been achieved as 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 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,

informative and legal nature to improve the associate members’ interests, as well as take part in federations or confederations of employers and intervene in the regulation of the relationships between employers and employees of the sector. This tourism supply is based on quality premises, comprehensive complementary offer and pampered environmental conditions. Menorca offers about ninety swimming areas, including beaches, coves and others. Besides, every year new blue fl ags are awarded as a distinction for service and environmental quality. Apart from this type of offer, it is necessary to enhance the advantages of Menorca in comparison with the rest of the Balearic Islands so as not to fall into the aforementioned “balearisation” that would depend on a non-competitive model inside this market situation. These advantages must include the preservation of the environment as a result of the delay in tourism development in Menorca, since the Biosphere Reserve award and, subsequent signing of the Territory Plan. The limits of this kind of offer guaranteed by the Territory Plan will allow focusing on its own quality.

Cala Galdana cove

B Cala Macarelleta cove



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A sustainable tourism strategy shall be based on the cooperation between private and public agents to ensure the environmental quality of the services offered. Taking this philosophy by the hand, the Fundació Destí Menorca (FDM) was founded and constituted with the initiative of the Island Council of Menorca with the following objectives: To promote and develop tourism in Menorca and overseas.To develop new tourism products.To foster and promote businesses and tourism premises outside the Island in order to attract new investors. The FDM’s activities are: The management of the tourist information offi ces in Menorca.The management of several cultural interest premises and the coordination of the Menorca Monument Network. To foster and develop permanent improvement of the Island through the Comprehensive System of Spanish Tourism Quality on Destination, or other similar quality improvement systems.To promote and develop tourist products such as: nautical resorts, horse products, convention bureau and any other product that can be created in the future. The study, research, documentation, information 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 the tourist activity sector and by the town halls around the Island, whose mission is to submit or suggest proposals of those actions considered relevant before the board.

Those products managed by the Fundació Destí Menorca are:

Convention BureauThe Menorca Convention Bureau hopes to promote the Island as a conference, congress and incentive trips destination by offering organisers free information and assessment service. Furthermore, foreign organisers are offered assistance regarding application for permits and licenses required in developing their activities, as well as providing statistics, market studies, trends, etc.The creation of the Convention Bureau is described as follows:Convention destination is a branch of tourism that can help diversify the offer. It is aimed at a high-expense level sector, which usually triples the conventional tourist level expense.It helps to diversify from seasonal tourism.It represents an activity that requires a number of services available.

Equestrian productThe FDM is responsible for managing the equestrian product called Producte Eqüestre a l’illa de Menorca, which is funded with the credit awarded by the Financial State Fund for the Modernisation of Tourist Infrastructures (FOMIT).

Equestrian tracks



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With regard to this initiative, several actions are being developed to improve and renew public infrastructures that shall include conditioning projects of roads and accesses. These actions hope to foster those activities related to the Menorcan horse and the development of a project of tourist signposting around the Island to include equestrian activity. This project also includes content drafting and communication tasks related to the Camí de Cavalls (horse tracks) so as to promote it as a main route for trekking, mountain biking and horseback riding. This track has been included within the natural route network as “GR” (Long distance).The main purpose of the equestrian product is to emphasize the equestrian activity offer connecting it to the Camí de Cavalls, and the improvement of tourist signposting and on private premises to offer equestrian routes and stays.

Nautical ResortsIn Menorca there are three Nautical Resorts. They are located in Ciutadella, Fornells and Maó. They are non-profi t associations whose intention is to unite the nautical product on the Island, and promote it locally and internationally. Likewise, it intends to diversify from seasonal tourism and to make the sea available to everyone.

In order to achieve these objectives, Menorca is already represented at national and international fairs with promotional material. Furthermore, the intention is to make a more specifi c fair only for Nautical Resorts. Menorca is also taking part in the promotional activities fostered by the Spanish Association of Nautical Resorts. With regard to the information regarding Nautical Resorts, there are several staffed offi ces thanks to agreements with different administrations that try to duly inform visitors about all the activities that can be practised at the resorts in Menorca as well as supply general information.

Tourist Information Offi ce NetworkThis network is made up of six offi ces located in: the port of Maó, the Airport, Ciutadella, port of Ciutadella, and Fornells. Apart from the common tasks of all tourist information offi ces, they are currently trying to sell several products related to Menorca such as the Menorca Monument Network Guide and the Postcard DVD.

Cultural tourismThe Fundació Destí Menorca will manage areas of cultural interest that, until recently, still depended directly on the Island Council, such as:

Naveta des TudonsTorre d’en Galmés, village and interpretation centre.Fort Marlborough Tower of FornellsTrepucó

All these monuments have information panels where their characteristics and main 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



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All these premises have tourist information service, public toilets for handicapped visitors and information staff at the visitor’s disposal.The Network includes about thirty monuments of archaeological and ethnological interest as well as museums.

SICTEDThe FDM is working to develop a quality system in Menorca related to the Spanish Tourist Quality Plan (PICTE), whose main goal is to achieve a homogenous quality level at the same destination. For this purpose, the global implementation of inter and subsectorial quality parameters is sought for as well as the incorporation of the subsectors project, not necessarily tourist, with the fi nal goal of improving company services and the human touch offered to customers. Currently, there are fi fty destinations in Spain taking part in this project, which are at the same time divided into different types: urban, cultural, “beach and sun”, etc. Menorca was one of the nine destinations that collaborated with the project’s design and is included within the “sun and beach” typology. It includes 140 participating companies from different industries: restaurants, hotels and apartments, shops, car rentals, travel agencies, tourist interest centres, leisure and

sports companies, tourist information offi ces, craftsmen, guides, taxis or beaches. Companies and administrations to join this national scope project are supplied with free assessment and technical assistance from the Council before they are inspected and receive the quality certifi cate approval.

Film CommissionsThe FDM has applied for the inclusion into the Spain Film Commission Network with the intention to diversify the offer and design new products to face new demands and competition. Besides, this could help diversifi cation from seasonal tourism on the Island.

Should this application be confi rmed, the following activities would be developed:

The promotion of the Island as a fi lming location, its attendance at fairs, presentations and festivals of the sector. Location assessment. To assist with the shooting license proceedings.To be the link between foreign producers and local associate producers.To supply information about accommodation and service companies.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.Apart from the activities in which the FDM takes part, in Menorca there are other types of tourism that could be considered alternative which are related to private initiative.

Fort Marlborough



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Cycling routesCurrently there are six well-signposted cycling routes, from Ciutadella to Ferreries, Ferreries to Mercadal, Mercadal to Alaior, Alaior to Maó, Maó to Es Castell, and Es Castell to Sant Lluís.

Trekking routesSuch as the route from Punta Nati to Cala Morell in Ciutadella, or the route between Els Alocs and Muntanya Mala, or from Maó to Cala Sant Esteve, amongst others.

Routes related to nature tourismHere we will fi nd the different stretches of the horse track (Camí de Cavalls), an old military route, now turned into part of the natural route network 200 km long, a great route that surrounds the whole of the Island’s perimeter, crossing different ecosystems and beaches.Another nature tourism offer is the S’Albufera des Grau lagoon Natural Park, which offers the option of self-guided or guided visits through 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.

Horse track (Camí de Cavalls)

Lighthouse of Favàritx



B Sa Mesquida beach


TOURIST PRODUCT HANDBOOKMENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE

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

Text and pictures:Text and pictures:TPortus Nura Consultores

Printed by:Disseny i impressions

Spanish legal deposit:PM 160-2011


Documents

TOURIST PRODUCT HANDBOOK MENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE