The charm of Menorca's lighthouses

One of Menorca''s most characteristic attractions are its lighthouses. Located in strategic places and standing like sentinels in front of the Mediterranean Sea, the lighthouses of the island of Menorca are one of the main appeals of the place where, every year, both tourists and residents come to contemplate in person its beauty and unique architectural character. In today''s post, ATIPIKA invites you to take a route to discover the charm of the five lighthouses that outline the silhouette of Menorca: Favàritx, Cap de Cavalleria, Artrutx, Illa de l''Aire and Punta Nati. The main reason for the construction of lighthouses is to signal the coast for boats, with the aim of avoiding accidents, as well as to make navigation safer and to control what happens at sea. The large number of lighthouses that can be found in Menorca is directly related to the numerous maritime accidents and shipwrecks that occurred over the centuries. These tragic accidents led to the successive construction of lighthouses in all the ports and capes of the island. So, once the problem was solved, and after the construction of all these lighthouses, constant improvements were progressively introduced so that they would carry an increasingly intense light and, over the years, technological advances made their way, putting an end to the emblematic figure of the lighthouse keeper. Nevertheless, Menorca''s lighthouses have never lost their charm, neither of their constructions nor of the enclave they occupy. Let us begin our route in the west of the island, where two of Menorca''s most famous lighthouses are located: the Artrutx lighthouse and the Punta Nati lighthouse. The first of these is located on a cape with the same name, in the southwest of the island of Menorca, a few kilometers from Ciutadella. Built in 1858, the current state of the Artrutx lighthouse has undergone constant changes in its structure and equipment throughout its history. Surrounding the area, we can find Cap d''Artrutx housing development, as well as the nearby Cala''n Bosch and Son Xoriguer, which offer visitors the possibility of enjoying many tourist services. In addition, the lighthouse building houses a restaurant where you can enjoy pleasant dinners and lunches in the company of the sea. The main attraction of this lighthouse is its impressive views and sunsets with the island of Mallorca in the background. The other lighthouse on the western end of the island is Punta Nati, the closest to Ciutadella de Menorca. It is possibly the best place on the island to watch the sunset. It consists of two separated rectangular buildings and a 19-metre-high, hexagonal tower. The lighthouse, which was inhabited until the second half of the 20th century, has a white tower, a dome, and an aluminum lantern. It also has large rooms of the former lighthouse keeper''s house and a large courtyard surrounded by a stone wall. The surrounding landscape is dry, stony, and arid, with impressive cliffs and sparse vegetation. Descending towards the eastern end of the island, but still in the Tramontana area, we will find the first lighthouse built with a concrete tower in the Balearic Islands, the Favàritx lighthouse. It is located within the S''Albufera des Grau natural park, an extensive area of more than 5,000 hectares that constitutes one of the key points of the Menorcan Biosphere Reserve. The lighthouse area is surrounded by low cliffs of black and greyish slate, forming a landscape with a unique character worthy of long walks, while inside the lighthouse the most outstanding activity is to visit an interesting exhibition of maritime signs. The Favàritx lighthouse is one of the most special places in Menorca and, although it is somewhat isolated from the more inhabited towns, it is well worth a visit to contemplate its unusual beauty and the almost lunar setting it occupies. The northernmost lighthouse on the island and one of the most imposing is the Cavalleria lighthouse, located in the town of Es Mercadal, inaugurated in 1857 and over 90 meters above sea level. Although this lighthouse began with a pressurized petroleum steam system, it is currently powered by solar energy, something you can learn about if you visit the Cape of Cavalleria Interpretation Centre. The construction is in a 3-kilometre-long territory that juts out into the sea, surrounded by impressive cliffs, on a rocky peninsula with little vegetation. And within this territory we find the natural harbor of Sanitja, the location of the archaeological site of the Roman city of Sanisera. The headland and the Cavalleria lighthouse are two strategic points from which to enjoy panoramic views of the entire north coast and unforgettable sunsets. And so, we come to the end of our route. The lighthouse of l''Illa de l''Aire is the most difficult to access of all those mentioned above, as it can only be reached by sea, via a small pier that connects the Menorcan coast with the islet. Located off the southeast coast of Menorca, in front of the Punta Prima housing development in Sant Lluís, this lighthouse was inaugurated in 1860 and holds the record for the highest lighthouse on the island of Menorca. Visit our website to learn about all our services and the properties we offer. ATIPIKA serves national and international customers, looking for the property they need with transparency and efficiency. The successful path of our company in the real estate market allows us to put at your disposal a wide and attractive portfolio of products. 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