Ciudadela is the second largest city (although it only has 20,000 inhabitants) on the Balearic island of Menorca. This charming town on the west coast has old sandstone palaces and narrow cobblestone streets. Ciudadela's quaint port, situated within a small inlet, is one of the smallest in the Mediterranean. There had been Carthaginian and Roman settlements here, but it was the Moors who made Ciudadela the island's capital, a role it fulfilled until 1722 when the occupying British forces switched the capital to Mahon. There has been an intense rivalry between the two cities ever since, with the inhabitants of Ciudadela regarding their city to be the more artistic and cultural of the two.



At the heart of Ciudadela (also known as Ciutadella) is the elegant square of Placa des Born, bordered with graceful 19th century buildings. The obelisk in the centre of the square commemorates the town's residents who were killed or abducted during a Turkish attack in 1558. Much of the city was destroyed during this raid, including the Moorish alcazar. The Town Hall, built on the site of the alcazar in the 19th century, is situated in the north-west corner of the square. On the first floor of the Town Hall is a fine Gothic-style chamber. There are three palaces on the eastern side of Placa des Born; Palau Torresaura, Palau Salort and Palau Vivo. The most impressive of these is the Palau Torresaura with its fine neo-classical facade. Next door is the Palau Salort which is open to the public (except during winter). Visitors can admire the antique furniture, oil paintings and tapestries.

The Bastio de sa Font was constructed as a fortress in 1677, but later used as a granary and water store. It now houses the excellent yet small Municipal Museum which traces the towns. history The museum has a particularly good collection of ancient and prehistoric items. These include 3,000-year-old bone knives, Iron Age skulls and Roman coins and jeweler.

Work on Ciudadela's cathedral was started in 1303 and it wasn't completed for another 75 years. Interestingly, parts of the old mosque which occupied the site were incorporated into the cathedral's design. The main entrance was added in the early 19th century, not long after the building had been awarded cathedral status. Just outside Ciudadela is the Bronze Age burial chamber of Naveta des Turons, so-called because it resembles an upturned boat. Restored in the 20th century, the Naveta is the oldest roofed building in Spain.

Most of the nightlife in Ciudadela is centred around the port. This area also has several seafood restaurants, with most of them offering a lobster stew called 'caldereta de llagosta'. Running from the port to the small beach at Cala des Degollador is the wide seafront promenade of Passeig Maritim. The Torre de Sant Nicolau, built in the 17th century, is situated along this promenade. There are some excellent views from the top of this elegant watchtower.