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  What to see

The Toro Mountain, 357 metres high, is the highest point of the island of Menorca. Situated in the geographical centre of the island, in the municipality of Es Mercadal, it is the site of the Sanctuary of the Toro Virgin, considered to be the spiritual centre of the Island, an intrinsic part of the Menorcan people's history. The unmistakable profile of the Toro Mountain can be seen from almost all the municipalities of Menorca and from its summit, an exceptional panoramic view of the island can be enjoyed, particularly the north coast. It is a compulsory visit for all tourists who come to the island, and is accessed via a road of just under three kilometres, that ascends from the town of Es Mercadal. It has numerous attractions: the beauty of the whole architectural group, the extraordinary views, the restaurant, the artisan and souvenir shop... The origin of the sanctuary is situated in the XIII century. According to popular tradition, the statue of the Virgin was found in the mountain by a group of religious merchants who reached the summit accompanied by a bull that opened the way for them. But the toponym Toro really originates from the pre-Roman root "tor" the same as the Catalan word "turó" meaning hill. The present church, where the statue of the Virgin carved in wood is, was built as from 1670 on the previous gothic church. Together with the church, forming one of the interior patio walls of the Sanctuary, is a defence tower built in 1558 on an ancient watchtower. In the patio there is a well and a monument dedicated to the Menorcans who emigrated to Florida in the XVIII century, guided by Father Pere Camps Gener, who was born in Es Mercadal, and outside the walls there are other commemorative monuments. At present the sanctuary is administered by a community of Franciscans of Pity and is a hostal for days of reflection and prayer for different groups from Menorca.

The s'Hostal quarries in Ciutadella is an non covered excavated space to extract sand stone blocks to build houses and other constructions. The sand stone, which is permeable and of different hardness and colour, has been used as a building material since the megalithic culture until now. The s'Hostal quarries of sandstone were exploited until 1994. Líthica, a cultural association constituted with the main objective of preserving, restoring and rehabilitating the sand stone quarries, rented them in 1995 and, with the support of the Consell de Menorca has cleaned them and conditioned them to receive visits. Visitors are able to observe the manual quarries, which are over 200 years old, and the mechanical quarries, that started working at the middle of the XX century with circular saws. The space also includes a botanic garden dedicated to the production of autochthonous plants. Meanwhile, in July and August, the s'Hostal quarries holds different cultural activities, such as films, concerts, dancing and theme festivals. Visiting times are from 9.30 a.m until sunset, except on Sundays from July to August, when the visiting times are from 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to the sunset. The entrance is 3 euros. Under 10s and 65s free entrance. More information: Pedreres de S'Hostal Camí Vell, Km 1 - 07760 Ciutadella Phone. 971 48 15 78 - Fax: 971 48 42 07 www.lithica.com


 
 
   
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