Fornells, Menorca facts for kids
Fornells is a charming village found in a bay on the northern side of Menorca, one of the Balearic islands in Spain. About 1,000 people live here, but this number grows a lot during the summer because many tourists visit. The local people from Fornells are called Fornellers in both the Catalan language and Spanish.
Contents
A Look Back: Fornells' History
Fornells started as a small settlement near a watch tower. This tower was built in the early 1600s to protect the area from Barbary pirates. These pirates often used Fornells Bay as a safe place to hide.
Building a Castle
The watch tower wasn't enough to keep the pirates away. So, in 1625, King Philip IV of Spain ordered a castle to be built. This project faced problems because there wasn't enough money.
The castle building started again in 1637. It was named the Castle of Sant Antoni. As the castle was being built, a small village grew around it. Construction workers and soldiers lived there. This village became the start of modern-day Fornells.
Changing Hands
During the 1700s, the castle was sometimes controlled by the British and sometimes by the French. Finally, in 1782, it returned to Spanish control. King Charles III of Spain then ordered parts of the castle to be destroyed. Today, the only military building left is the old watch tower on the headland outside the village.
From this tower, you can see Cavallería Cape to the west. To the east, you can see the large Sa Mola, which forms one side of the bay's entrance. In 1798, Fornells was also a landing spot when the British captured Menorca.
Where is Fornells?
Fornells Bay is quite deep and large. It stretches about 5 kilometers (3 miles) long and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide. The bay has a narrow entrance that helps protect it from the open sea. This narrow opening lets water in but keeps big waves out.
However, the wind is harder to stop! The hills around Fornells are not tall enough to block the strong Tramontane wind. This wind is so powerful that it has shaped the rocks and bent the trees until their branches almost touch the ground.
A Traditional Fishing Village
Fornells has a natural harbor that is often filled with llauts. These are traditional Menorcan fishing boats. Fishermen use them mainly to catch delicious lobsters.
Fun Things to Do in Fornells
Fornells Bay has several small beaches and offers many water activities for visitors. You can enjoy:
- Boat trips
- Catamaran excursions
- Kayaking
- Windsurfing
Local Celebrations
Every year, Fornells hosts the fiesta de Sant Antoni. This lively festival takes place on the fourth weekend of July. It's a great way to experience local culture!
See also
In Spanish: Fornells para niños
