ITS NATURAL PORT

Ciutadella has a small natural port, sheltered from the north winds. A few times a year, the port is affected by a natural phenomenon called a rissaga, when the sea level first decreases substantially, followed by the arrival of a surprisingly large wave, which exceeds the original level and floods the area of Es Pla.

This port once sheltered the cargo and passenger ships that link the island of Minorca with Majorca and Barcelona with regular lines run by the companies Iscomar and Baleària, respectively. Recently a new dock has been built just outside the mouth of the port that allows for the mooring of larger ships. This pier was built in the open sea and is hence not affected by the rissagas.

TYPICAL STREETS

Ciutadella is also characterised by its narrow old streets, with odd names like Qui no Passa (dead-end-street) or Ses Voltes (The Arches), which starts at the Plaça Nova or Plaça d’Espanya (New Square or Spain Square) and ends at the Cathedral of Ciutadella. Then, continuing straight on towards the Town Hall, we find the Plaça des Born Square, with its imposing obelisk that commemorates the Turkish attack on the 9th of July 1558, led by the admiral of the Ottoman fleet, Piali. There is also a wonderful vantage point of the port from here.