Citadel

Wednesday last week saw us taking the long walk along the coast to the town of Ciutadella, the old capital of the island of Menorca.  The title of capital passed to to Maó (or Mahon) in the 18th century, during the time when the island was under British rule.  Ciutadella means 'citadel' and the town is a treat of architectural history.  Almost every old building has some sort of decorated facade.

One of the museums close to the oldest part of the town, has a particularly richly decorated portico.

Nearby, stands the edifice of the Cathedral of Menorca.  Originally built in 1287 by King Alfonso III of Aragon, it occupies the site of a former mosque from the days when Moorish occupiers had control of most of Spain and Menorca was annexed to the Caliphate of Cordoba.

The cathedral has seen some action in its time, having been desecrated by Turks in 1558, collapsed in 1626 and rebuilt soon after.  Its current neo-classical style dates from 1813.