Es Castell began as a poor area around the Castle of Sant Felip, built in the 16th Century on the southern bank of the mouth of the Port of Maó. Although there are few remains of this remarkable fortress, today Es Castell is an area full of life and charm with an interesting history behind it.

In the 16th and 17th Centuries, many families set up their homes on the other side of the walls of the Castle of Sant Felip, in search of a place to protect themselves from the continuous pirate sieges. The fortress had been built after the brutal attack by Barba Roja (Red Beard), at the orders of Felipe II and according to the design of the Italian Gianbattista Calvi. This first village was known as 'S’Arraval de Sant Felip'.

From then on, it underwent a series of name changes. The English conquered the castle in 1708 and extended it after the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. They also carried out work in the town outside the walls, building a series of houses between Cales Font and Cala Corb, and demolishing the earlier ones, on the initiative of General Moystin. 

The village went on to be called 'Georgestown', after George III of England, although it was popularly known as 'S’Arraval Nova'. The layout designed by Mackellar is today the central area of this peculiar town and consists of a series of houses which, with their linear and symmetrical layout, surround a parade ground, the Plaça des Castell.

In 1782, when Spain recovered the island of Menorca, it once again changed its name for that of 'Real Villa de San Carlos' (Royal Town of St Charles), in honour of Carlos III. Curiously, it was this king who ordered the demolition of the castle. Today there are a few remains which can be visited, such as some stretches of walls, tunnels and a battery of 18th Century cannons. The name changes continued with 'Villacarlos' and, finally, 'Es Castell'.

The streets of this locality are dotted with shops, bars and lively pavement cafes, good restaurants and interesting leisure spots, such as the Bar Salón, an 1875 theatre converted into cabaret; or the Sa Sinia bar, set up in an old quarry.

The striking thing about the Plaça des Castell are the enormous barracks. This is where the Military Museum of Menorca is located, which has an interesting collection about the history of this Castle of Sant Felip.

Who:
Museu Militar de Menorca
Calle Isabel II, 20
Es Castell
Tel.: +(34) 971 362 100
Monday, Thursday and the first Sunday of each month, from 11 am to 1 pm.

Length: 2´45 min.

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