Menorca Wasn't Always Idyllic - it has a History of Conflict

Over the centuries, it has been occupied by the ancient Greeks, the Roman Empire, the Vandals, the Byzantine Empire, the Moors, the Crown of Aragon, the Ottoman Empire, the British, the French and finally, the Spanish.

Needless to say, most of these “handovers” were far from peaceful and involved war and destruction.

Here’s an interesting fact: in 1231 when the Christians took neighbouring Mallorca from the Moors – Menorca decided to remain an independent Islamic state. It was only in 1287 that the island was conquered by Alfonso III.

Maritime Conflicts

The island occupies a strategic position in the Mediterranean, close to the Spanish mainland. As such, over the centuries the seas around the island were plagued by pirates and were the scene of many naval battles between opposing nations. During your holiday in Menorca, you may hear about two of these battles, both called the “Battle of Menorca”. However, one took place during the Seven Year War in 1756 and the other during the Spanish Civil War in 1939.

The Seven Years War First Naval Battle

The Seven Year War (1754 – 1763) split Europe into two opposing camps, one led by the British, the other by the French. It broke out after the British, backed by their allies, invaded French possessions in North America and captured hundreds of their merchant ships. In an attempt to regain their lost lands and also curtail the growing power of the British empire, France formed an alliance with other European countries.

Another interesting fact: even though it started in 1754 and ended in 1763 (a period of nine years), it is known as the Seven Year War because most of the fighting took place between 1756 – 1763).

The Battle of Menorca (1756) was the first major sea battle of this conflict. Britain had control of the Island and a French fleet moved in to take control. The British sent for aid from Gibraltar but, by the time it arrived, the French had seized control of most of the island. In what was, for the time, a massive sea battle, two opposing fleets, each with 12 warships, fought for victory. The French won, suffering no damage to their ships while most of the British ships suffered considerable damage and retreated to Gibraltar.

The Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939)

During the closing days of this battle, Republican Menorca was blockaded by Franco’s Nationalist fleet. The aim was to force the surrender of Republican forces and take over the island. The blockade started on 8 January 1939. One month later, the British attempted, unsuccessfully, to mediate the island’s surrender. Fierce fighting broke out in Ciutadella and Mahon between rival Republican factions. Finally, the Republicans surrendered and a Nationalist Army division landed on 9 and took control.

This rich history adds yet another layer of interest for you to explore during your holiday in Menorca.

Author Plate

Brenda Jaaback, Managing Director of Bartle Holidays, is a renowned Menorca expert. From its history to its people and from its wildlife to its cuisine - no secret of the island remains hidden to her. Personally selecting the finest properties for her clients, Brenda is the go-to person for anyone planning relaxing holidays in Menorca. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.

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