The Cathedral Of Ciutadella: A Journey Into Menorca’s Past

We’re no strangers to Menorca. Our family has been here quite a few times over the years because it has everything we and the kids could want. This year, however, we decided that we wanted a few days to ourselves to recharge our batteries. So, we left the boys with their grandparents and took a short summer breakon the island.

Exploration Was the Name of the Game

Because it was just the two of us, we decided that instead of spending our time on the beaches, we’d do some exploring and try to see another, different side of the island. After spending a couple of hours closeted with Google, we decided that one of our ports of call would be Ciutadella, once the island’s capital and now its second-largest city after Mahon.

From Carthage to The Turks to Today

Ciutadella has a history going back well over 2,000 years when it was an established trading port founded by the city state of Carthage. Jumping forward to the 4th century A.D., the town was the seat of the Menorca’s Bishop (and remains so even today) and the centre of the island’s religious life. Later on it was conquered by the Moors when they invaded Spain, then subsequently retaken by King Alfonso the Third. Then, in the 1500s, the city was destroyed by the Turks and finally came under British rule in the late 1700s before being returned to Spain.

With so much history, and with the convenient location and easy access to the island’s western coast, Ciutadella is the perfect location for a summer break.

The Cathedral of Ciutadella de Menorca

Of all the wonderful things we saw and did in and around Ciutadella, perhaps the most impressive, and the one that really left its mark during our summer break, was the Cathedral of Ciutadella de Menorca.

The Cathedral dates back to 1300 when its construction was ordered by Alfonso the Third. He had it built over the site of a Moorish mosque as a sign and statement that Menorca was, once again, part of the Christian Kingdom (the Kingdom of Aragon). This is a truly magnificent structure, built in the Catalonian Gothic style with a very wide nave flanked by six chapels on each side and a pentagon-shaped apse to the east.

Just as Ciutadella has been through the wars, so to, unfortunately, has its cathedral. After construction finished in 1362, the city flourished. But when the Turks, led by Barbarossa, invaded in 1558, they did their best to destroy the city and the cathedral. Later on, in 1626, the vaults under the apse collapsed, causing even more damage and destruction.

In 1813 the cathedral’s facade was rebuilt by Archbishop Juano in a neoclassical style. However, at the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, the building was once again severely damaged.

The building we see today was restored between 1939 to 1941 by Bishop Bartolomé Pascual.

A Magnificent Exterior and a Moving Interior 

The cathedral is a magnificent building, a collection of different styles that clearly communicates its hundreds of years of history. But it is the interior that really took our breath away.

The pentagonal apse is a huge space filled with light coming in through a series of massive and exquisitely beautiful stained glass windows. The light falls down on the great altar which is a large, marble monolith with a 15-meter-high canopy. Towards the rear of the apse there is an episcopal throne made of Roman marble. The throne was blessed by Pope Pius XII in recognition of the faith and strength of Menorca’s Roman Catholic population.

Peace and Tranquillity

Our visits to the cathedral (we went there twice, once to explore the magnificent edifice and once to just relax and bask in its quiet, relaxed and soothing atmosphere) were one of the highlights of our summer break. While the cathedral might not be the perfect place to bring the kids, there are lots of things to do in the town and surrounding area. We will definitely be back!

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. If you're planning a summer break in the Balearics, Brenda personally selects the finest properties for her clients and is the go-toperson for anyone planning a relaxing holiday in 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.