Castillo De San Felip, The Garrison Gateway To Mahon

Type ‘Castillo de San Felip’ into Google and the chances are that most of the results will refer, not to this Menorcan fortress but to a fortress of the same name in Cartagena, Colombia. Despite its namesake being one of the largest fortresses built by the Spaniards in the “New World”, Menorca’s Castillo San Felipe (Saint Phillip’s Castle) was no less important and impressive during its heyday.

A Strategic Position

Wherever you’re staying in Menorca, be it a hotel or a rented, self-catered villa, take the time for a guided tour of this mighty and proud edifice.

The castle guards the entrance to Mahon’s huge, natural harbour. It sits in a strategic position on the southern side of the estuary and was once a formidable barrier for those seeking to conquer the city.

The site has been home to a fort since around 1554. The first fort was constructed by the Spanish, and, just as Menorca changed hands many times over the centuries, so too did the castle. The reason for the site’s importance is the simple fact that Mahon’s harbour was and still is one of the largest deep-water natural harbours in the world. Add to this Menorca’s strategic location off the Spanish coast and proximity to north Africa – and the strategic importance of the harbour to the fleets of nations and empires seeking to control the sea lanes is obvious.

A Formidable Fortress

When the British occupied Menorca in 1713, they began expanding the already massive fortress protecting the harbour. When they were given sovereignty over Menorca in 1713, the British went into high gear and begun a construction effort that was to make the fortress into the largest and strongest of its kind in Europe. Part of this effort included the construction of a network of underground passageways to store supplies, protect the defenders and allow free movement when the castle was under attack. These passageways still survive and make for a very interesting guided tour.

The End of British Rule

Despite their investment in such a massive military fortress, the French bombarded the fortress from the nearby village of Es Castell in 1756 and, in 1782, the island was retaken by the Spanish and the castle surrendered, thus ending the British presence on the island.

I say “ended the British presence” but, today, the island is full of UK holidaymakers who fill the many hotels and rent many of the luxurious self-catered villas that are available across the island.

Demolished, Rebuilt and Demolished Again

After being taken back by the Spanish, King Carlos III ordered that the castle be demolished. Around 1805 another attempt was made to build a fortress on the same site, but due to landslides and other factors, construction was never completed. Today, some of the walls have been reconstructed and the remains of a lighthouse tower can also be seen on the site. The main attraction, however, are the two levels of underground tunnels – the first constructed by the Spanish and the second by the British.

Opening Hours

From June to September, the castle is open every Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m.

During October, November, March, April and May the castle is open every Saturday from 10 a.m.

The site is closed from December to February except for organised groups.

We recommend that you phone from your hotel or self-catered villa to check when guided tours are available.

Author Plate

Brenda Jaaback, Managing Director of Bartle Holidays, is a renowned Menorca expert. From its history to its people and from its wildlife to its cuisine - no secret of the island remains hidden to her. Personally selecting the finest properties for her clients, Brenda is the go-toperson for anyone looking for a self catered villa on Menorca. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.