The History of Ciutadella

The first humans who lived in Menorca were the “Talaiotics”. They lived during the Bronze age and Iron age, until the Roman conquest (123 BC). They built important monuments which still exist. Prehistory: Culture Talaiotica

Taula Talaiotica (table) Naveta dels tudons

The first archaeological and historical evidence belongs to the Roman age, in the first century b.C. The Romans named the city Iamo, and it was a small town. There are no buildings left from the Roman age, but we've got some remains: coins, pottery, glass... Which are kept in the museums. Roman conquest 123 b.C.

Son Bou basilic Fornàs de Torelló basilic

Roman coins Roman vases

In 454 Menorca was invaded by vandals, and after that, in 533 it was invaded by the Bizantins. 5 th and 6 th centuries

10th century In 902 Menorca was invaded by the Arabs. -In 1231 Jaume I signed a treaty with the Menorcan Muslims in which they recognized him as their king. -During this period, Ciutadella was a very important center of the Arabic literature.

11th century 1287: Alfons III of Aragon conquered Menorca and Muslims became slaves and were expelled from the island. In this period, Ciutadella was the capital of Menorca, but now it is Maó. Alfons III of Aragon

1558: Turkish assault in Ciutadella soldiers sieged the city for days, the 9th of July the Turkish took the city and 4000 people were enslaved and taken to Istambul. After that, Ciutadella was repopulated by Menorcan and Majorcan people. 16 th century in Ciutadella

In 1558, in Mahon, Sant Felip castle was built and it became an important fortress, basicaly in the 18 th century. 16 th century in Maó

17 th and 18 th centuries -In 1702, the War of the Spanish Succession broke out. -In 1713 Menorca was British through the Treaty of Utrecht: the island is a strategic point for the Mediterranean trade and the British want it for them trade.

Treaty of Utrecht

19 th century -In 1802 Menorca was Spanish again. It began to carry out the industrialization. In the case of Ciutadella, The Wall that protected the city was collapsed, but today there are remains of the Wall.

The Wall of Ciutadella The town hall of Ciutadella Museum

20th century Spanish Civil War. There was a military coup. Spain is divided into two sides: National and Republican. Menorca had been Republican until February 1939.

20 th century 1960-The economy was based on agriculture, footwear industry and jewelry. In 1960 the tourism industry started. Ciutadella is now one of the most important tourist centers of the Balearic Islands.