Fornells, Menorca
Fornells is a village located in a bay in the north of the Balearic island of Menorca, Spain. Fornells is estimated to have a population of about 1000 people, which increases in the summer due to tourism. Fornells' native people are known as Fornellers in the Catalan language and in Spanish.
History
The village was founded to serve a small defensive watch tower, built at the beginning of the 17th century as a defence against the Barbary pirates for whom Fornells Bay provided the perfect safe haven. This watch tower proved to be insufficient, so in 1625 King Phillip IV of Spain ordered a castle to be added.[1] This project initially failed due to lack of funds, but was recommenced in 1637 as the Castle of Sant Antoni.[1] During construction, a small village was formed around the castle, occupied by construction workers and soldiers, this village becoming the basis of modern-day Fornells. During the 18th century, the castle was held alternately by the British and French, before returning to Spanish dominion in 1782.[2] King Charles III of Spain then ordered the partial destruction of the castle, but the small village around the castle remained.[1] The military past of Fornells is still remembered in the British watch tower on the headland, outside the village.[3]
In 1798 the village was a landing site during the Capture of Menorca by the British.[4]
Location
Fornells Bay is deep, measuring 5 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide.[5] The narrow entrance regulates the force of the open sea, allowing water to enter the bay while restricting the waves. However, the wind is not so easily restrained: the surrounding hills are not high enough to keep out the Tramontane (Tramontana in Catalan), which has shaped the rocks and bent the trees over until the branches almost touch the ground.[6]
From Fornells, Cavallería Cape can be seen to the west,[7] and the massive bulk of La Mola, forming the eastern side of the entrance to the bay, to the east.[8]
Fishing village
Fornells' natural harbour is filled with llauts, the traditional Menorcan fishing craft used for fishing lobsters.[9]
Tourist activities
Having several small beaches around the bay, the harbour offers a number of aquatic activities for tourists, including boat trips,[10] catamaran excursions,[11] kayaking[12] and windsurfing.[13]
The annual fiesta de Sant Antoni is held on the fourth weekend in July.[14]
References
- ^ a b c "The origins of Fornells: The castle of Sant Antoni - What to do in Menorca". www.candigus.com. Archived from the original on 2019-03-17. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Periods of British occupation of the island of Menorca". consorciomilitarmenorca.com. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Fornells tower | British Menorca". Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ James, William (1837). The Naval History Of Great Britain Vol. 2. p. 196.
- ^ "Fornells". spain.info. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Rough Guide Mallorca and Menorca Phil Lee - 2004 - Page 235 "Fornells has no beach to speak of apart from a tiny patch of sand in front of Sa Nansa restaurant, round the corner from the main square. There is, however, o a long strip of sand 1.5km back down the access road beside the Ses Salines "
- ^ "Cavalleria lighthouse | Lighthouses of Menorca". Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Fornells bay by kayak - Discovering Menorca". Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "The llaut: discover the Traditional Boat of the Balearic Islands". Nautic Adventure. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Excursiones en barco por Menorca - Pachira Tours" (in European Spanish). 2020-03-11. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Menorca Catamaran Trips | Catamaran Tour Menorca". Katayak. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Excursión en Fornells | Charter Menorca". katayak.net. Archived from the original on 2015-02-15. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Wind Fornells | Windsurf, Wing Foil, Vela, SUP y Kayak en Menorca". Wind Fornells (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2026-05-19.
- ^ "Fiestas de Sant Antoni Fornells - Menorca Blue". 2012-07-19. Retrieved 2026-05-19.