Ciutadella has its origins in a people called “Carthaginian” that inhabited the island for centuries.
In the year 123 BC, Quintus Cecilius Metellus conquered the Balearic Islands for the Roman and Ciutadella quickly became a Roman town, and once it was christianised, it also became an Episcopal see.
Since the end of the 7th century AD, Ciutadella was repeatedly attacked by Muslim raids that devastated the island. However, it was not until the beginning of 10th c. AD that the Muslim dominion became general all over Minorca.
Since Christian King Alfons III conquered the island in the year 1287, Ciutadella experienced a great development for almost three centuries.
Spanish crown dominion ended in 1708 when a British squad took the island in the name of Archduke Charles of Austria. Utrecht treaty in 1713 consolidated the British dominion that meant the loss of capital status for Ciutadella. French dominion (1756-1763) created a notable cultural stream giving way to the prevailing ideas of that period in Europe.
Afterwards, it came another British occupation in the island that implied the back of the former staganation to the city. The city would not wake up until the 19th century.
Since then, Ciutadella picked up again thanks to the industry development, especially costume jewellery and shoemaking giving rise to the economy with a big number of small factories.
Nowadays, the main source of income is tourism, bringing new activities to the island.

Monuments:

a) Son Catlar
Prehistoric settlement that dates back to the pretalayotic age (Neolithic). It is the only pre-Roman settlement that preserves an entire surrounding wall complex going beyond 800 mts long. Within the walls it is possible to see some Neolithic architecture samples.
It is situated 8 kms southwards from Ciutadella and it is easy to reach by Son Saura’s road. Admission is free.

b) Naveta des Tudons
It is the most well-known megalithic monument over the Balearic Islands. It is a burial structure dating from the Bronze age, built up in the shape of a reversed pyramid and erected with big stone blocks. This burial structure was a communal grave and was used as a charnel house too. It was excavated and restored in the 50’s (“0th c.).

c) Torretrencada
Prehistoric town that remained standing until the end of the Roman times and of which they conserve Taula (burial structure), talayot (defence building), some artificial caves excavated in the rocky subsoil and graves excavated on the rock, probably of early medieval time. The Taula is one of the most beautiful of the island, with a column of reinforcement in the rear.
It is located about 7 kms to the east of Ciutadella by the Camí Vella de Maó. Free visit.

d) Torrellafuda
Prehistorica settlement set in an extraordinary beatiful landscape. One of the talaiots,a cave, a taula and the remains of dwelling houses are outstanding and very visible. This settlement was surrounded by a wall and some of the wall remains can still be seen. It is remarkable to note the Taula covered in natural vegetation.
It is approximately situated at km 37 point on the Maó to Ciutadella road and it is free admission.

e) Castell de Sant Nicolau
Placed at the entrance of the Port of Ciutadella, it was built at the end of the 17th century with the aim of defending it from sea attacks. It is a tower in the shape of an inverted pyramid with an octagonal floor built with blocks of mares (a kind of sandy stone often used in the Balearic Islands). Inside there is a central column (also octagonal) supporting the artillery platform on which there is a small tower that made easier the defence activities.
Located in Square admiral Ferragut and It is free admission.

d) Cathedral of Menorca
Gothic church founded in honour of Saint Mary by Alfons III the Liberal, after the conquest of Minorca. It was built during the whole of the 14th century in the same place where there had once been a Muslim mosque. The church has only one nave which leads to a polygonal apse that ends up as different chapels bearing testimony to several historical events and artistic styles, among others one of the most remarkable is “La Capella de les ànimes”, Chapel of the souls, built in 1670, which is one of the most interesting samples of Baroque art found on the island. Situated in the very Cathedral square of Ciutadella. Visit is fee.

e) Cala Morell
Talayotic necrópolis amde up of 14 artificial made caves on the rock of a small gorge. It was used as a cemetery from Pre-Talaiotic times to the 2nd century AD.
Some of the caves have interesting architectural features such as columns and pillars, unevenness of foor level and even façades with doors decorated with mouldings and small courtyards. It is in Cala Morell residential area and admission is free.

Museums:

a) General museum about Ciutadella’s history.
It is worth noting the romos dedicated to pre-history, anthropology and temporary exhibitions. One can also see the extraordinary findings from the caves of Càrritx and es Mussol: Wooden objects and bones, human hairs, human figures and wooden animal figures with human features.
The address is: Sa Font square, Ciutadella.

b) Museo diocesano de Menorca
The museum is located in the old convent of Saint Agustí of Ciutadella, an outstanding architectural complex from the 17th century where it stands out the cloister of splendid proportions with arcades of semi-circular arches held by impressive pillars and the church in pure “herreriano” style. The museum exhibits an interesting archaeological collection, a section of paintings from the 17th century and some samples of liturgical objects and religious craftsmanship in precious metals from the 17th century to the 20th c. from the Church of Minorca.
The museum is on Seminari street of Ciutadella.

c) Pintor Torrent House-Museum
This small museum located in the old quarter of Ciutadella is fully dedicated to the local painter Joseph Torrent (Ciutadella 1904-1990) where about one hundred of his most representative works form different periods of the painter’s life are on show together with personal objects and information about his life. His painting evolves from the impressionism of his early years to the expressionism of his later years. His own particular view of Minorcan landscapes and his use of colour has caused to be named the Minorcan “Van Gogh”.