Millions of people per year go to the Balearic Island of Menorca to relax, unwind and get away from it all. But why are so many people now buying property in Menorca? There could be several reasons ranging from second homes, beach homes or even investment properties. People in general love the culture and evident history Menorca proudly displays.



Menorca's Culture

The primary languages spoken on Menorca today are Catalan and Spanish. Due to her colorful past, some of the most vibrant celebrations in the world are held on Menorca. Two of the most famous and traditional summertime festivals are:

* Sant Joan, held in Ciutadella on June 24 includes the beautiful Menorcan horse as an integral part of the event.

* Dia de Virgen de Carmen is the feast of the patron saint of sailors. This festival is held all over the Balearic Islands in mid July.

The Menorcan horse has been carefully bred to have a very elegant shape and a coat of blackest black. Its main and tail are long, black and silky. These horses are a very prominent part of most Menorcan festivals, as they are a very distinct reminder of the island's history and culture.

Healthy Mediterranean Diet

Gin is a favorite drink, especially during festes when it is mixed with bitter lemon. The resulting drink is called Pomada, locally. Low to moderate amounts of wine are consumed as well. The Mediterranean diet includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals and locally grown potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds. Olive oil is a very important source of monounsaturated fat in the Menorcan diet. Red meats are very rarely included in the typical Mediterranean diet, while fish, poultry and dairy products are consumed in low to moderate amounts.

Lower incidences of heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the Mediterranean are believed to be due to the diet. The Menorcan lifestyle is generally more active than other parts of the world, resulting in lower death rates as well as lower obesity rates. In fact, Menorca is home to several citizens who are over 100 years old.

Menorca's History

Menorca was named by the Romans. The name aptly means 'Little One'. It is the smaller of the Balearic Islands. Majorca means 'Large One' and is the largest of the Balearics. Menorca's documented history dates back to around 2100 BC and some of the oldest structures on the island are believed to be approximately 3,500 years old. More than 200 towers, believed to have been siege towers, still stand.

Menorca is home to a very large collection of megalithic structures. Some of the monuments include navetas, or chamber tombs, that date back to the early Bronze Age. Taules are t-shaped stone monuments that include a tall vertical stone with a long horizontal stone lying on top of it. At least 274 talaiots have been found on the island. A talaiot is a stone structure that was used for defensive purposes. Other possible purposes are not clearly defined or even understood.

Menorca has been a strategic point for refugees, pirates and leaders staging attacks on other countries. It has been under the rule of many distant civilizations including the Romans, the Moors, Britain, Spain, and even no official rule at all in its earliest days. The many coves and beaches provided shelter and a home for pirates. Evidence of piracy can be found in the waters surrounding the island. Divers often enjoy the ability to witness this little part of the past.