Minorca is located at eastern end of the Balearic Islands and the Spanish region more Levantine. \ PardLa atravessar the parallel 40 passing through Citadel. Separates from neighbouring Mallorca channel minimum width of 18 miles from head to Artruitx Capdepera.
Mao far 98 miles from Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona 130, 196, Argèlia, 218, Marseilles, Valencia 223, and 230 of Alghero (Cerdenya where people still speak Catalan). Tea length of 47800 km from the head of Bajolí and Spurred by the Mola. The width is of 19500 km and its perimeter of 220 kilometers. The total area of 701.84 km2 is
Geologically Minorca are two completely distinct regions: the northern and southern de Tramuntana midday. The northern region, a 267 km2 eras corresponds to primary, secondary and quaternary. (The primary element is a curious phenomenon that is not in the Balearic islands Demesa).
The sector noon (approximately 435 km2) is a uniform; belong to the tertiary period. Even so, the traditional division designed centuries ago for rural people, consists of five distinct areas both by morphology as agricultural factors: Tramuntana, mitjania, noon, head rapporteur and head of adjournment.
The climate is temperate Menorca as a consequence of their situation and condition sea to the Mediterranean. The populations of the interior are more extreme temperatures that coast.
The weather phenomena are more pronounced humidity, and wind, especially the de Tramuntana, cold and feel. The frequent rains are usually from September to November preceded by storms in August.
The human factor:
A de_gran_importància to understand the past Menorca is constituted by the migratory movements. The immigration since ancient times are as follows:
Residents of culture troglodyte
Inhabitants of the villages talaiòtics during the Bronze Age.
Phoenicians
Greeks
Carthaginians
Romans
Vàndals
Byzantines
Muslims
Catalan and Mallorquines (conquest of 1287)
Ingleses
Jews
Greeks, sailors and traders established in Maó.
French
The Spaniards are the first migrations to changing cultures and dominations in Minorca. Other major migrations occurred towards flowering in 1768, Argèlia during the nineteenth century and later South americas (Cordoba, Argentina, and Montevideo). The Prehistory
It is of exceptional importance the amount of prehistoric remains that are found in Minorca, to the point of being considered prehistoric museum outdoors.
There are nearly 2000 remains classified and its distribution to the two very diverse areas where, as already said, is divided island geologically.
In times very distant, when the movements of "people overseas conditioned the population of Mediterranean countries, arrived safely to the shores Menorcan with fragile boats dragged by the tramuntana.Ellos were the first to inhabit the many caves that were in the ravines enlarge and accommodate their needs. This launches in Menorca culture or troglodyte caves.
The caves were natural or modified by man. They could be open to level ground, underground or above the cliffs. Tickets are round, oval, rectangular or trapezoidals, one or more rooms and some of the signals columnas.Una with more features will open the hole in the roof of the caves by fierce fire and facilitate power vent.
There are caves and isolated in groups sometimes as many as enough to form real troglodyte villages. The most important is the brooding of Calas and what followed Cala Morell, Macarrella, Torreta Saura and Ravine Algendar.
Many of these caves were used later as enterrament pits. Later empowered by the tenants as stables, warehouses, Pallars and even as tanks.
Within some well as the walls of the gorges have been found incisions cave very estitzades: men, animals, fish, nets, boats, geometric drawings…. The culture talaiòtica:
This era is characterized by the number of monuments and megalítics that begins relatively late in the prehistoric chronology: the Bronze Age, DEVERS the year 1600 until the year 200 BC approximately
\ fs26 The man of this period no longer live in caves, but wooden houses. It farmer, rancher and defends the villages with walls and with great effort torres.Levanta colossal monuments that make Minorca a region privileged by the study of prehistory. The name of this culture comes from the most characteristic monuments and tended to the island: the Talaiot, from the Arabic word "Atalaya" within the meaning of tall building to monitor.
Besides Talaiots there is an extensive type of prehistoric relics and monuments as the military defence (Son catla, Tuesta on Gaumer,…);
the memorial as the menhirs (Torralba del Pinar on Salort); own religious and Menorca as the exclusive table (Trepucó, Talatí de Arriba) and the funeral as the shuttle (Naveta de Se Tudons).
In full splendor of culture talaiòtica, Minorca was visited by people who desire a commercial or conquest crossed the Mediterranean. From the Phoenicians were found metal objects and glass colors. According to nominate Phoenicians etimologistes these islands in honor of his ten Baal and Minorca named Nura referring to the land of fire.
Greeks also pass through land Menorcan.
By mid-century V a.C. the Romans conquered the Balearic islands they call the name of "Balearicus," Mayor Balearis or Majòrica and Balearis Minor or Minòrica. \ fs26 The Balearic depended politically in the province of Hispània Citerior with imported capital city of Tarragona. Subsequently the islands formed a separate province.
The Romans opened ando and reported populations of the island. The archaeological finds are significant, highlighting the graves, mosaics, inscriptions, bronze statues, coins, precious metalwork objects, architectural elements and ceramics.
427 a year Balearic islands fall into the hands of vàndals. They are fanatics who ruthlessly pursued the Catholic Church.
Andalusia 534 years the Byzantines descuajan power to become dependent vàndals and the rule of the east. Restore the Catholic religion in Minorca. Muslim Domination:
In the late seventh century Muslim North Africa took the Byzantines. Only the remaining Balearic that without defense, not slow to succumb to the strength of Islamic expansion. The remaining vestiges Muslims in Minorca are for spiritual and material. \ Fs26 Minorca taxation of Aragon:
In 1232 King Jaume And the Conqueror fight to the mountains of Mallorca by subjecting the Moors. Send galleys in Menorca in the island agree to surrender or submission to the crown of Aragon. The result was a pact that is respected tax until 1282 when, Pere III the Great, passing through Minorca towards Africa is betrayed by the Arab leaders of the island.
Pere III tries to reconquer Minorca but died before getting it. The succession lies with whom Alfons III, 17 Gener in 1287 and after many contests descuaja the island to Muslims.
Behind the conquest, the fate of the Arab population differs according to their social and economic situation. According to the rules of the time, the rich and socially well-ments are respected, while the poor, unable to pay their ransom are enslaved.
The losers were mixed with the Christian population and take surnames Catalans.
Jaume II of Majorca, successor and uncle Alfons III, the organizer of all structures of medieval life Minorcan. He founded the town Ihalor, rebuilt the walls and is responsible for the famous document called "Pariatge" regulations made in conjunction with the Bishop of Majorca, the parish churches and the existing subsidiaries to the island.
Minorca joins the Aragonese kingdom Catalan-year 1343, when Pere IV of Aragon was crowned king of Majorca. By decree of the monarch are consolidated privileges of Minorca increased in real letters. It creates the Consulate of the Sea and an administrative office in Menorca granting the right of representation in the Cortes Catalan.
After the death of the Human Marti, the island suffered several processes of decay. The negligence of the governors together with the parties degenerate into bandidatge and the threat of barbarians caused the abandonament of crops in coastal areas. Minorca and impoverishes despuebla quickly. For this reason Alfons V, Magnànim seeks repopulate the island but not "good people Catalan" but to acquit base of any crime at all those who want to settle the island, causing many serious disturbances.
Anarchy reaches its limit in the years 1451-1452 by dividing the islanders and making a long civil war erupt. The life of the Menorcans becomes difficult and dangerous and violence and dissensió policy causes a great moral decay.
In terms of medieval archaeology in general is poor. Of the religious buildings underlines the main church of Ciutadella, Menorca today Cathedral, built in the late thirteenth century on the site of an ancient mosque. It was a beautiful copy of the Catalan Gothic.
Another notable building is the shrine of Our Lady of Grace of Mao, the work of the fifteenth century.
As military buildings highlight the Arc de Sao Roc and some defence tower as Torre Saura, Tuesta on Quart,…
In numismatics need Senyal coins minted in Menorca on the orders of King Alfonso V
. At the same time are beginning to celebrate the famous festival of Sant Joan then extended by the remaining municipalities of the island. During the sixteenth century, the expansion of the Turkish empire that dominated almost the entire Mediterranean and occupied half of Europe, and their alliances with the French kings to fight the Spaniards, determined attacks that cause the destruction of the two most important towns on the island : Mao and Citadel.
The first assault occurs in Mao the year 1535 by the fearsome Haradin, Red Beard. Its troops sweep the city with rape, pillatge, assasinats and cream files.
Later, in 1558, the same situation occurs in Ciutadella with the landing of 15000 Turkish city site.
The seventeenth century is interesting because the knowledge of the past Menorca. It is importing social organization with the figure of the governor who cares to fortify the capital and coast Menorcan. In this period replaces the governor resident Citadel by the mayor of Santo Felip.
The estamento which then governed the administration of Minorca is the so-called University. I was in Ciutadella and consists of four jurors, one by each of society: the military, nobles and knights, of the citizens, bourgeoisie; of the tenants and the artisans or nenestrals.
Apart from the University General of Menorca and particularly Citadel, also existed universities forànies of Mao, and Mercadal Alaior.
The aristocracy will also play an important role by the influence of nobles and knights on the social, political, military and economic Minorca.
The military are an important element in those days when the island was constantly besieged by the enemies of Spain and pirate raids.
Citizens were career people (lawyers, escrivans, notaries and doctors rather theoretical practical)
The maximum figure of church institutions was the Reverend and very illustrious Lord provost of Minorca, who had a say in the Synod of Majorca.
This was an era devoted to divine worship and religious holidays as the only alternative culture.
During this period are numerous natural calamities: droughts, plagues of rats, caterpillars, grasshoppers,… causing hunger and hardship to the population and cause enfermetats such as cholera and plague.
They also face raids by pirates and the attacks of saltejadors road living in the caves and ravines to lambast passengers ranging from a village to another. The architecture of the seventeenth century is reduced to four different classes:
1 .- Religious buildings as the convent of the Virgin Mary Relief friars agustins Ciutadella.
2 .- Buildings military and rebuilding the walls of Mao and Citadel.
3 .- civilian buildings as the town hall of Mao as well as some noble houses of Citadel. An episode of the War of Spanish Succession Minorca determines that happens, for almost the entire eighteenth century, relying on the powers that be disputed hegemony of the Mediterranean: France and England. The reason is the privileged status of the strategic island, the importance of the port of Mao and the strength of Santo Felip defending the mouth.
In 1708 the Anglo-Dutch troops invadeixen Minorca descuajando power to Felipe V, and making it public in 1713. The governor Richard Kane moved the capital island and Mao ago to build the road called "Kane's Road" that still lingers as veinal way. It is dedicated to effectively protect agriculture and livestock and regulates the administration, industry and commerce.
1756 French people a year enter Menorca and forced to surrender to the 300 British soldiers to defend. The main work of the new dominadors is the foundation of the town of Sant Lluís (in honor of Lluís XV, King of France)
The French also are dedicated to remaking the Way of Horses, possibly originating in the Middle Ages and that surrounds the island resiguiendo total coastline.
This domination is very short, from 1756 to 1763, when the treaty of Paris in France forced to return to former dominadors Minorca, the British.
In the 1771 general Moytin entrusts the construction of a new suburb devours Holy Felip was called George Town in honor of King George III and English today is called Es Castell.
Minorca's going back to Spanish hands during the reign of Charles III, which allied itself with France by a Family Pact, appointed a French-led Crillón commander general. At this time ordering the destruction of the Castle of St. Philip, who began work in the sixteenth century during the reign of Charles I.
In 1798 in Menorca begins the 3 rd British domination when his fleet first to enter port Addai and Cala Mill and then at Citadel.
On November 15, 1798, General Quesada accepted the surrender to British troops.
Despite this, and in 1802 by the Treaty of Amiens, the island of Minorca once again be part of the Spanish crown.
With the improvements made during these dominations on the roads, forts, industry, livestock and trade, all sectors of the island are reinforced during the eighteenth century.
One of the most important aspects of culture Minorcan eighteenth century, was the birth of a literary movement that continues during the first third of the next century and which forms a veritable "time Minorcan."
It refers to the Society Maonesa Culture "established on April 30, 1778.
Other details of cultural interest at that time was the first publication of the history of Menorca and the work of the painter Giuseppe Chiesa playing the characters and historical facts of Minorca of those times.
The architecture of the eighteenth century presents in Menorca monuments of different styles and purposes: as the church of Sant Francesc of Brick Gothic-decadent (1719-1792).,
Church Rosal Ciutadella Baroque (1705. 1750), and the church and
Ex-convent del Carme of Brick neoclassical style (1726-1750).
The woodwork is considered very important and are produced in this period furnished luxury type for the English stately homes. \ Fs26 During the first half of the nineteenth century the economy of the Menorcans is very precarious, which both have important emigrations Algiers as the capital of the population of Fort Eau.
In 1835 the law desamortitzadora of Mendizàbal kills six convents existing on the island.
In 1860 landed on the island Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by other authorities.
In 1867 arrives in Minorca the first admiral of the United States of americas David G. Ferragut, son of ciutadellenc Jordi Ferragut.
In the cultural aspect, besides the literary floreixement, we need to highlight some of the illustrious figures of the nineteenth century as the painter and Caldés Calbó maonès Pascual (1752-1817) director of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Dr. Mateu Orfila Rotger (Brick 1787-Paris 1853) and Josep MŞ Quadrado (Citadel 1819 - Palma 1896). \ Fs26 Among the architectural highlights the greatest facade of the cathedral, as well as many stately homes of Mao and Citadel.
Since 1868, coinciding with the triumph of the Revolution begins the expansion of urban populations Menorcan. It destroyed the walls of Mao and Citadel sacrificing tradition in favor of the new hygiene requirements and the demands of population growth.
There are wide streets and are starting to see summer houses.
The opening of the first shoe factory in 1853 marks the beginning of a new industry which forms the basis of the economy of the moment lasted until the late twentieth century. This follows the industry for susutería, too much strength in the economy Minorcan.
The construction in 1860 of the main road Mao-Citadel increases communication between peoples and facilitate trade.
The first mail between Mao and Barcelona with a ladder Alcudia was established in 1854.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century and early XX there are substantial migration in Cuba, and Cordoba in Argentina in Montevideo.