TRAVEL GUIDES DIRECTORY: MENORCA SPAIN MAHÓN

TOWN HISTORY

The more recent history of the island of Menorca is a chronicle of British, French and Spanish attempts to control the island, each of which have left their permanent mark on the local culture and architecture. Apart from the beaches and resorts, Mahon in particular plays a huge and significant role in Menorca's history as a whole.

Firstly, the name Mahon (or Mao for the locals) was ascribed from the Carthaginensis General Mago Barca (the brother of the famous battle leader Hannibal Barca) who was said to have taken refuge in the city way back in year 205 BC.

In the year 1287, Mahon was captured from the Moors by King Alfonso III of Aragon and integrated it into the Kingdom of Majorca, a vassal kingdom of the Kingdom of Aragon. During this empire, the port of Mahon was re-established, and was considered as one of the most strategically important in the western Mediterranean.

During the War of the Spanish Succession in the year 1707, Menorca was taken into the control of the Kingdom of Great Britain, and its British status was confirmed by the Treaty of Utrecht in the year 1713. During the island's years as a British dependency in the 18th century, Mahon served as its capital and residence for the governor, the most famous of which is Governor Pierre, Marquis de Fremeur.

At present, the town of Mahon serves as quarters of the Island Council of Menorca (Consell Insular de Menorca). Furthermore, due to the continuing progress of the local tourism industry particularly towards the end of the 20th century, the city was able to make improvements with its historic town centers. The tourism industry has also been instrumental with the rise of different modern establishments in the city.

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