Catedral de Santa Maria de Ciutadella

The Cathedral of Santa Maria is the principal church of Ciutadella, the old capital of Menorca, and the largest religious building on the island. It stands in the old town on a square beside the town hall, a short walk from the Plaça des Born and the harbour. The Christian conquest of Menorca by King Alfonso III of Aragon in 1287 brought a new religious order to the island, and the cathedral was built on the site of the main mosque of the Muslim town. The base of the bell tower still preserves part of the original minaret, a rare survival that tells of the earlier city.

The church is a good example of Catalan Gothic architecture, a style that favours a single wide nave, tall walls and few windows. The building was constructed during the fourteenth century, beginning around 1300, with chapels added between the buttresses along the sides. Inside, the effect is of a great, simple hall under ribbed vaults, with sober stonework and a quiet atmosphere. This restraint is characteristic of Catalan Gothic, which prefers volume and light to heavy decoration. Side chapels contain altarpieces and statues from different periods, and the main altar is a late addition.

The façade facing the square has a neoclassical portal, added in the nineteenth century, which contrasts with the severe Gothic walls. The cathedral gained its status when the diocese of Menorca was created in the late eighteenth century, and it remains the seat of the bishop of Menorca. Over the centuries, the church survived raids and attacks. In 1558, Ottoman forces sacked Ciutadella, killing and enslaving a large part of its population, and a monument in the Plaça des Born commemorates this event.

The cathedral is the centre of the festivals of Sant Joan in June, when horses and riders parade through the streets in a celebration that dates from the Middle Ages, and the church is part of the pageant. The old town around it is a maze of arcaded streets, palaces and small plazas, with the port at its end, lined with restaurants.

A visit takes about forty-five minutes. It suits history and architecture lovers and anyone exploring Ciutadella on foot. The church is accessible, although the historic fabric may impose some limits. Opening hours vary, and services can restrict visits, so check locally before you go.