Untitled - Menorca

Menorca's privileged geographical location and its wonderful port
You can also venture into the world of crafts and ethnology by
have aroused the interest of many nations, civilisations and leading
visiting the Artisan Centre of Menorca (Centre Artesanal de
world powers. All this has left its mark on the island’s island's
Menorca) in Es Mercadal and the museum collection at Molí de
history and customs, shaping our distinctive traits and
Dalt in Sant Lluís.
idiosyncrasies. This history and the traces it left behind are visible
in our museums. Outstanding examples of the island's many
museums and collections include the Museum of Menorca in the
cloister of the Church of Sant Francesc, the Municipal Museum of
Ciutadella built on the remains of an old stronghold catalogued as
an Asset of Cultural Interest, the museum collection in the
Convent of Sant Agustí (El Socors) in Ciutadella, the Military
Museum on the esplanade of Es Castell and the Hernández SanzHernández Mora museum collection. However, not only Menorca's
historic events are commemorated through finds and remains
displayed in our museums and collections; our plants and wildlife
can also be seen and studied in major collections such as the
Carreras Torrent Museum of Natural Sciences and the Botanical
Circuit and the Biodiversity Circuit at the Quarries Pedreres de
S'Hostal, quarry site in Ciutadella. The museum in the Convent of
Sant Agustí (El Socors) holds several palaeontology, malacology
and entomology collections and dissected vertebrate specimens
from the old Natural and Physical Sciences cabinet in the Diocesan
Seminary, as well as from the biology room at the hospital on Illa
del Rei, which also has an impressive collection of medical and
pharmaceutical exhibits.
Lastly, a tour of Menorca’s art galleries will immerse you in the
inspiring and prolific world of the island’s contemporary artists.
CAPÍTULO 2
MUSEUMS AND MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
MUSEUM OF MENORCA
3
MUSEUM OF MENORCA
OPEN TO VISITORS
Location: Pla des Monestir
Town: Maó
Owned and managed by: Govern Illes Balears (Balearic Islands
Government)
Telephone: +34 971 35 09 55
Web: www.ajmao.org
€
39º53'27,88'' N 4º15'39,78'' E
4
The Museum of Menorca is the island’s largest and most important
museum institution. The rooms describe the history of Menorca
through its physical traces and remains. The Museum of Menorca is currently based in the convent of Jesus,
once occupied by monks from the Franciscan order; the Baroque-style
building dates from between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. In
1835, as a result of the confiscations carried out by Mendizábal, the
monks left the building and since then it has been used for a range of
purposes. The tour is made even more interesting because of the large
archaeological and picture collections on display, and for the
a r c h i t e c t u r a l f e a t u r e s o f t h e b u i l d i n g i t s e l f .
The Museum collection comprises material from Menorca acquired
from old collections and archaeological digs, plus loans and donations,
both from private individuals and various organisations. On the ground
floor, around the cloister, are the temporary exhibition rooms and the
events room. The permanent exhibition occupies the first and second
floors, and has been open to the public since 1998. First floor displays
focus on prehistory and ancient history. There is also a fascinating
exhibition of material from the old convent. On the second floor,
exhibits cover the period from the Middle Ages through to the 20th
century.
5
The Museum of Menorca has a total exhibition area of 5,000 square
metres, half of which is given over to internal services (library,
workshops and storage, scientific work area and administrative offices).
The Museum runs a series of activities aimed at the general public,
either directly or through other organisations. The education section
organises educational activities, produces teaching materials, runs
guided tours of the Museum to school groups throughout the
academic year and helps to organise archaeological work camps for
university students in the summer.
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HERNÁNDEZ SANZ - HERNÁNDEZ MORA
MUSEUM COLLECTION
7
HERNÁNDEZ SANZ - HERNÁNDEZ MORA
MUSEUM COLLECTION
OPEN TO VISITORS
Location: First floor of the Cloister of El Carme. Plaça Miranda, 5
Town: Maó
Owned and managed by: Maó City Council
Telephone: +34 971 350 597
Website: www.ajmao.org
39º53’19,31’’ N 4º15’57,96’’ E
8
Maó City Council has managed the museum and library in the
Cloister of El Carme since 1987. They are an important record of
Menorca's history, art and culture, as well as of its links to world
history.
Distinguished professor Joan Hernández Mora donated his assets to
the city of Maó. He had inherited part of these assets from his father,
chronicler and archivist at Maó City Council, Francesc Hernández
Sanz; he acquired the rest over many years, eventually amassing a
large collection of furniture, Menorcan objects and pictures and a
well-stocked library. In 1999, his descendants, in a new gesture of
generosity towards their home city, donated the remainder of the
Francesc Hernández Sanz collection to complete the original holdings.
The overall layout of the museum is designed to look like the inside of
a Menorcan house. The rooms hold paintings arranged chronologically
from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. There is also a gallery of
historical Menorcan figures and people with links to the history of
Menorca, plus a magnificent map collection and work by his relatives.
The library occupies two rooms on the first floor and contains all the
books and leaflets acquired by Mr. Hernández Mora throughout his
life. Estimated at over four thousand in total, they are by Menorcan
authors or by writers connected with the island of Menorca in some
way. The library collection has been digitally catalogued and is kept
up-to-date with new acquisitions. It now consists of over seven
thousand items.
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10
MILITARY MUSEUM OF MENORCA
11
MILITARY MUSEUM OF MENORCA
OPEN TO VISITORS
Location: Plaça Explanada
Town: Es Castell
Owned and managed by: Consorcio del Museo Militar de Menorca y
Patrimonio Histórico Militar (Consortium of the Military Museum of
Menorca and Historic Military Heritage)
Telephone: +34 971 362 100
Web: www.museomilitarmenorca.com
€
39º52’46,63’’ N 4º17’24,49’’ E
12
Following the dissolution of the majority of military units in the late
20th century, the decision was taken to set up a military museum that
would hold military items and records. Military forces are an extremely
important part of the island’s history and played a crucial role in
defending the island in the past. The Military Museum of Menorca was
founded in 1981. At first it was based in the former gunpowder
magazine in Castell de Sant Felip, before being transferred to the
Calacorp barracks. This historic British building dates from the last
third of the 18th century.
13
The museum consists of nineteen rooms covering Menorca’s history,
particularly its military history. Each room is dedicated to a historic
figure. The rooms on Carlos III, looking at how Menorca was
recaptured by Spain, and on Isabel II, on the fortress of La Mola. The
exhibition focuses particularly on the fortress and on the castle of Sant
Felip. The Almirante Miranda room has displays on the Spanish navy
and Maó port. Foreign rule in Menorca is reflected in Governor Kane
room and General Brandaris room shows the fortifications raised
during the Spanish Civil War. Coronel Albertí room displays a large
collection of 18th century oil paintings and watercolours.
The museum also contains a collection of scale models of fortifications
and ships as well as a series of artillery pieces dating from the 16th to
the 19th century on loan from the Army Museum and arranged
around the ground floor.
14
The Military Museum has its own library and an archive section with a
collection of more than 700 plans. It also has a conference room and
shows films on the heritage held by the Military Museum Consortium.
The Consortium of the Military Museum of Menorca and Historic
Military Heritage of the Port of Maó and Cala Sant Esteve was set up
in 1998. This organisation does some great work restoring, maintaining
and raising awareness of Menorca's rich military historic heritage,
especially the importance of the port of Maó.
15
CARRERAS TORRENT
NATURAL SCIENCES MUSEUM COLLECTION
16
CARRERAS TORRENT NATURAL
SCIENCES MUSEUM COLLECTION
OPEN TO VISITORS
Location: Road between Ferreries and Ciutadella, at km 31.6, Camí dels Alocs turning
Town: Ferreries
Owned and managed by: Private
Telephone: +34 971 380 056
Web: www.binisues1.wix.com/binisues
€
17
Menorca’s Natural Sciences Museum Collection was set up by
naturalists Juan and Miguel Carreras Torrent and traces the work and
scientific study carried out by both of them over a period of 42 years.
The museum is in the 18th century Binissuès manor houses, in the
middle of the countryside and surrounded by impressive views. The
collection focuses on the diversity of the Balearics and also contains
specimens from all over the world, with various collections arranged in
sections. Examples are the sections on zoology; vertebrates (with over
200 species) and invertebrates (with more than 6,000 specimens,
including Menorca’s daytime butterflies). Malacology (the study of
molluscs), geology and mycology (the study of fungi) are also featured
in the collections, all of which are on permanent display and constantly
being expanded. The science collection has more than 70,000
specimens, the majority of which are arthropods.
One of the museum’s primary functions is its research activity.
18
One of the organisation’s basic commitments is raising awareness of
environmental issues, so its work is oriented towards publicising the
value of our natural habitat and species, not just through the
collections but also through audio-visual displays for visitors and more
than 1,000 documentary films.
In fact, this is a fascinating and exciting way of learning about the
islands and their natural assets, through observation, enjoyment and
knowledge.
19
CONVENT AND CLOISTER OF
SANT AGUSTÍ (EL SOCORS)
MUSEUM COLLECTION
20
CONVENT AND CLOISTER OF
SANT AGUSTÍ (EL SOCORS) MUSEUM
COLLECTION
OPEN TO VISITORS
Location: Carrer Seminari, 7.
Town: Ciutadella
Owned and managed by: Bishop of Menorca
Telephone: +34 971 481 297
Web: www.bisbatdemenorca.com
21
The museum collection is based in the Baroque convent of Sant
Agustí, more commonly known as El Socors. Building started on the
convent in the early 17th century and continued up until the mid-18th
century.
Access to the museum is via the entrance hall of El Socors church. The
ground floor rooms in the cloister display various collections dating
from 1858. Rooms 1, 3 and 4 contain archaeological finds from sites
around the island from the pre-Talayotic era through to Roman times.
Room 2 contains a collection of drawings and paintings, plus a number
of engravings and prints from the 18th to 20th centuries and referring
to Menorca. Room 5 contains a set of paintings by artist Pere Dora,
donated by his daughter. His work shows the influence of the last
Impressionists, of Expressionism, Cubism and so on, and can be seen in
a number of museums in Catalonia, France and the United States. In
room 6 there is a set of specimens from the old Natural and Physical
Sciences cabinet in the Diocesan Seminary plus several palaeontology,
malacology (the study of molluscs) and entomology collections and
dissected vertebrates. Room 7, Nuncio room, is the old antechamber
to the convent dining hall. It has an interesting groin vaulted ceiling.
22
The room contains a picture of St. Rosalía and some portraits of
bishops of the diocese. Room 8 is the former Augustine monks’
refectory and currently the events room. This room is a good example
of 18th century Menorcan architecture and is the work of master
builder Joan Amorós. It contains some religious pictures, breviaries and
antiphonaries dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, 16th century
embossed brass plates and some ceramic pieces. Room 10 is the back
of the church, behind the altar and contains a display of stone finds
from a number of ancient buildings, churches and convents, such as
headstones, fragments of inscriptions, arch key stones, coats of arms
a n d G o t h i c g a r g o y l e s f r o m t h e C a t h e d r a l .
It is possible to visit the Cathedral as well by obtaining a joint ticket.
23
MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF
CIUTADELLA
24
MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF CIUTADELLA
OPEN TO VISITORS
Location: Pla de Sa Font, s/n
Town: Ciutadella
Owned and managed by: Ciutadella Town Council
Telephone: +34 971 380 297
Website: www.ciutadella.org/museo
€
40º00'16,51'' N 3º50'16,46'' E
25
The Municipal Museum of Ciutadella – Bastion of Sa Font, is a general
history and archaeological museum with a permanent exhibition on the
history of Ciutadella and of the island itself from prehistoric times
through to the Muslim era and the arrival of king Alfonso III in 1287.
Visitors can take a tour through the island's various historical periods,
represented by the archaeological remains and artefacts on display.
The Historic and Artistic Museum of Ciutadella was officially opened
i n 1 9 3 5 o n t h e g r o u n d fl o o r o f t h e To w n H a l l . In 1995, it was moved to the Bastion of Sa Font building, which is able
to provide the highest level of protection for the historic collection,
having been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). Sa Font was
one of five bastions built to protect the five entrances set into the walls
around the town. The bastion originally served as a water tank and was
fi l l e d b y c o l l e c t i n g r a i n w a t e r . The permanent exhibition starts with the early settlers on the island
and with a display cabinet on the pre-Talayotic period showing the way
of life and customs of that era. After this, the Talayotic period is the
subject of a large display dealing with the way of life, customs and
relationships of this native culture of Menorca and Mallorca. The next
section shows the Roman era. To end the exhibition on this period,
there is a display cabinet on the origins of Christianity in Menorca and
paleo-Christian basilicas.
26
Lastly, there is an area on Vandal attacks, on the Byzantine Empire,
the late Roman Empire and the beginning of the Muslim era in
M e n o r c a .
The museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions to show particular
historic periods not covered by the permanent exhibition, aspects of
anthropology or recent acquisitions and new collections.
The museum provides guided tours for groups, which should be booked
in advance.
27
CAPÍTULO 3
ART GALLERIES
ARGOS GALLERY
29
ARGOS GALLERY
Location: Carrer d'en Deià, 4
Town: Maó
Telephone: +34 971 362 652
30
ARTARA GALLERY
31
ARTARA GALLERY
Location: Carrer Rosari, 18
Town: Maó
Telephone: +34 971 352 912
Web: www.galeriaartara.com
32
KROMA GALLERY
33
KROMA GALLERY
Location: Carrer Anuncivay, 7
Town: Maó
Telephone: +34 971 350 804
Web: www.galeriakroma.com
34
ENCANT GALLERY
35
ENCANT GALLERY
Location: Carrer Infanta, 20
Town: Maó
Telephone: +34 971 364 416
Web: www.encant.net
36
ART I JOC GALLERY
37
ART I JOC GALLERY
Location: Carrer Barcelona, 20
Town: Ciutadella
Telephone: +34 971 385 712
Web: www.galeria-artijoc.com
38
RETXA GALLERY
39
RETXA GALLERY
Location: Carrer Nou de Juliol , 37
Town: Ciutadella
Telephone: +34 971 381 806
Web: www.galeriaretxa.com
40
VIDRIART GALLERY
41
GALERÍA VIDRART
Location: Carrer del Roser, 8
Town: Ciutadella
Telephone: +34 971 385 851
Web: www.galeriavidrart.com
42
CAPÍTULO 4
EXHIBITION CENTRES AND MULTIPURPOSE SPACES
“SA NOSTRA” CULTURAL
CENTRE MAÓ
44
“SA NOSTRA” CULTURAL CENTRE MAÓ
Location: Carrer S´Arraval, 32
Town: Maó
Telephone: +34 971 366 854
Web: www.obrasocialsanostra.com
45
CLOISTER OF EL CARME
EXHIBITION CENTRE
46
CLOISTER OF EL CARME
EXHIBITION CENTRE
Location: Cloister of El Carme, s/n
Town: Maó
Owned and managed by: Maó City Council
Telephone: +34 971 353 280
Web: www.ajmao.org
47
ES PATI EXHIBITION CENTRE
48
ES PATI EXHIBITION CENTRE
Location: Carrer Governador Ramírez, 4
Town: Maó
Web: www.espati.net
49
EL HORNABEQUE
EXHIBITION CENTRE
50
EL HORNABEQUE EXHIBITION CENTRE
Location: Fortress of La Mola. Carretera La Mola
Town: Maó
Owned by: Consorcio del Museo Militar de Menorca y Patrimonio Histórico Militar (Consortium of the Military
Museum of Menorca and Historic Military Heritage)
Managed by: Cordial Hoteles
Telephone: +34 971 364 040 / +34 686 659 400
Web: www.fortalesalamola.com
€
51
XALUBINIA ART CENTRE
52
XALUBINIA ART CENTRE
Location: Carrer Baixamar, 54-56
Town: Alaior
Telephone: +34 971 371 365
Web: www.xalubinia.blogspot.com.es
53
SANT DIEGO CULTURAL CENTRE
54
SANT DIEGO CULTURAL CENTRE
Location: Carrer des Banyer, s/n.
Town: Alaior
Owned and managed by: Alaior Town Council
Telephone: +34 971 378 322
Web: www.alaior.org
55
ALAIOR TOWN COUNCIL
EXHIBITION CENTRE
56
ALAIOR TOWN COUNCIL
EXHIBITION CENTRE
Location: Carrer Major, 11.
Town: Alaior
Owned and managed by: Alaior Town Council
Telephone: +34 971 371 002
Web: www.alaior.org
57
ES MERCADAL MULTIPURPOSE CENTRE
58
ES MERCADAL
MULTIPURPOSE CENTRE
Location: Avinguda del Metge Camps, s/n. Es Mercadal
Town: Es Mercadal
Owned and managed by: Es Mercadal Town Council
Telephone: +34 971 375 300
Web: www.aj-esmercadal.org
The multipurpose centre is a municipal building that was designed to be practical and functional. It was intended mainly for holding all kinds of
cultural activities and events (concerts, theatre, dance, etc.) but it has also specialised in providing the island with a multipurpose space for running a
range of training and cultural activities and events, such as lectures, seminars, conferences and the like.
Its versatility and location in the centre of the island mean that it is much in demand throughout the year, with an average of 4 events every week
involving around 25,000 users per year.
59
XEC COLL ART SPACE –
PALAU SAURA MORELL
60
XEC COLL ART SPACE –
PALAU SAURA MORELL
Location: Carrer des Seminari, 5. Ciutadella
Town: Ciutadella
Owned and managed by: Ciutadella Town Council
Telephone: +34 971 381 335
Web: www.ajciutadella.org
61
SANT JOSEP ART SPACE
62
SANT JOSEP ART SPACE
Location: Carrer Santa Clara, 9
Town: Ciutadella
Telephone: +34 971 480 686
Web: www.obrasocialsanostra.com
Building dating from the 17th century standing on the site of a 14th century church dedicated to Sant Antoni. The layout is rectangular, with a
single nave, no side chapels and the ceiling has three sections of rib vaulting. The facade you see today is the result of 19th century renovation work.
Since 1989 it has been the exhibition centre for Fundació “Sa Nostra”.
63
“EL ROSER” MUNICIPAL
64
“EL ROSER” MUNICIPAL CENTRE
Location: Carrer del Roser
Town: Ciutadella
Owned and managed by: Ciutadella Town Council
Telephone: +34 971 383 563
The church of Roser was the work of Joan Amorós (1664-1707) and was completed in 1705, following the guidelines set by an architectural style
with timid connections to the Baroque style. it was built on the site of a small church with the same name and has a single nave, a groin vaulted
ceiling, three chapels on each side and the transept is covered by a dome and a semi-circular apse. The facade is especially interesting, with a richly
decorated entrance and with an image of the Virgin of the Rosary over the top.
65
CAPÍTULO 5
OTHERS
HOSPITAL ILLA DEL REI
MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL
COLLECTION
67
HOSPITAL ILLA DEL REI MEDICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL COLLECTION
Location: Maó Harbour
Town: Maó
Owned by: Maó City Council
Managed by: Fundació Illa del Rei
Telephone: +34 609 161 662
Web: www.islahospitalmenorca.org
68
The island of Illa del Rei, in the Port of Maó, got its name from being
the place where king Alfonso III disembarked in 1287. In 1711, Admiral
Jennings ordered the hospital to be built, and it has undergone a
number of changes until the mid-20th century, when it was
abandoned and the area became derelict. Illa del Rei Hospital
Foundation (Fundació Hospital Illa del Rei) was set up in 2005 and is
responsible for recovering this heritage that has been forgotten for
many years. Several rooms in the main block of the hospital now house
a large medical collection donated by the families of prestigious
doctors, such as Pablo Mir, Bernardo Sampol, Echevarria, Apellaniz,
Cuadra, Vicente Roca, Osuna, Gabriel Sampol and Antonio Ramis. Six
rooms contain hospital material and two others display pharmaceutical
items. The autopsy room is fascinating and is dedicated to Scottish
surgeon George Gleghorn, who carried out more than a thousand
dissections between 1736 and 1749. Another interesting area is the
electro-medicine room with extremely valuable material, including
cathode rays, quartz light and X-rays. There is also a biology room with
an impressive malacology (the study of molluscs) collection donated by
the widow of doctor José Ramos.
69
The collection comprises more than 5,000 shells (not all from the
island). In addition to the shells, which are catalogued by family, size
and place, the room also contains the doctor’s desk and the extensive
library he compiled on the subject. This room also houses the
collection donated by German biologist Rita Pabst.
70
The Hospital also has a large library collection consisting of nearly
3,000 generously donated publications. The collection is wide-ranging
and 41% of the texts are in English.
Every year, under the watchful eye of the pharmacists in charge of the
Hospital Illa del Rei Pharmacy, cuttings are taken from plants growing
in the Medicinal Plants Garden next to the Hospital. These plants were
an essential part of 18th-century medicine and are still cultivated
today. The Hospital’s medicinal plant collection continues to grow and
research is being carried out on their properties.
71
ARTISAN CENTRE
72
ARTISAN CENTRE
Location: Carrer Metge Camps s/n (Recinto Ferial)
Town: Es Mercadal
Owned and managed by: Centre Artesanal de Menorca
Telephone: +34 971 15 44 36
Web: www.artesaniademenorca.com
73
The Artisan Centre of Menorca (Centre Artesanal de Menorca) is a
crafts centre and meeting point for local artisans and the community
in general. It opened in 2005 and is based in the old Es Mercadal
military barracks. The building, which is over a century old, is listed as a
h e r i t a g e a s s e t .
The Centre aims to be a focal point for craft production on the island
and promotes all kinds of crafts as well as helping to preserve and
publicise traditional trades and skills as part Menorca's historic
m e m o r y .
Visitors can see all the items displayed in the permanent exhibition
(temporary exhibitions are also held from time to time), watch an
audio-visual documentary about 7 traditional trades, look at books in
the library and walk round the crafts garden to look at some typical
Menorcan artisan pieces. The garden also contains ethnological items
from Menorcan rural life and some of the island’s native plant species.
There is a shop where visitors can buy products made by the artisans
who are entitled to use the “Artesanía de Menorca" (Craftwork of
Menorca) guarantee mark.
74
The centre is certainly an excellent meeting point between folk and
traditional crafts, creative and modern crafts, and visitors.
75
PEDRERES DE S'HOSTAL
76
PEDRERES DE S'HOSTAL
Location: Camí Vell, km 1.
Town: Ciutadella
Owned and managed by: Asociación Lithica
Telephone: +34 971 481 578
Web: www.lithica.es
€
77
Originally a site for quarrying the local marés stone, the material
traditionally used for building Menorca’s houses, the Quarries
Pedreres de S’Hostal in Ciutadella offers visitors a labyrinthine walk
around a sculpture park carved out of the rock, a lasting imprint of past
quarrying activities and now inhabited by vegetation. 78
The visit includes a walk round the gardens of the Laberint dels Vergers
maze, an area that includes projects such as the Botanical Circuit and
the Biodiversity Circuit, planted out with many specimens of
Menorca's native flowers and plants. A series of information panels
describe the various routes: Botanical, on the vegetation growing in the
quarries and how it can be used; Zoological, on the wildlife typically
found in quarries; Geological, on the formation and features of marés
stone; and Ethnological, on the extraction and uses of marés stone and
the various types of quarries where this stone is excavated.
79