The traditional lifestyle of Menorca has not been swept aside by mass tourism. Agriculture still plays an important role, together with long-standing industries - in particular the manufacture of shoes, furniture and jewellery. Folklore lives on in traditional dances such as the fandango and ball d’es cossil, a unique Menorcan dance similar to Scottish dancing. Many Menorcan songs owe an obvious debt to the Moorish influence, others originated in the music of medieval Catalan troubadours. If your visit coincides with a fiesta, you will be treated to a feast of traditional music and dance. You can also watch medieval jousting at Ciutadella.

• Menorca’s history goes back to prehistoric times. The evidence remains today in the huge number of megalithic monuments scattered around the island.
• In more recent times, it has witnessed the passing of many different races - the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines and Moors succeeded each other over the centuries.
• In 1287, the Moors were defeated and expelled by King Alfonso III of Aragon.
• After Columbus discovered America, the attention of Spain focused on the New World and the Balearics were largely forgotten. Turkish raiders and Mediterranean pirates took advantage of the situation and besieged the islands on a regular basis. The most notorious was Barbarosso or Red Beard, who sacked Mahon in 1535 and Ciutadella three years later.
• The British conquered Menorca in 1708. Throughout the 18th century, the Spanish, French and English fought over possession of the island, which finally returned to Spain in 1802.
• During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) Mallorca supported the Nationalists (General Franco) while Menorca was fervently Republican.
• After Franco’s victory in 1939, thousands of Republicans were imprisoned and the island’s culture was suppressed.
• In 1983 the Balearic Islands became one of seventeen autonomous regions within Spain.