Our beloved island of Menorca has achieved a historic milestone by being officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition comes after a process that began fourteen years ago and culminated last Monday at 10:25 in the morning when the UNESCO World Heritage Committee met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and approved the inscription of Talayotic Menorca on the World Heritage List.
The candidacy of Talayotic Menorca was presented during the 45th meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh. During the presentation, the exceptional universal value of Menorca’s prehistoric heritage was emphasized. Additionally, recommendations were made to aid in the long-term conservation of these assets, including a name change to «Prehistoric Sites of Talayotic Menorca» Originally, the candidacy was titled «Talayotic Menorca an Insular Cyclopean Odyssey.»
The President of the World Heritage Committee, Abduleleah Al-Tokhais, declared the candidacy approved, which was met with celebration by the Menorcan delegation present in Riyadh, led by the President of the Consell, Adolfo Vilafranca, and the President of the Govern, Marga Prohens.
Following the approval, the Ambassador of Spain to UNESCO, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, expressed his joy and highlighted that Menorca is now a World Heritage Site. The President of the Govern, Marga Prohens, described the day as historic and pledged to manage, explain, and protect this heritage for future generations. The President of the Consell, Adolfo Vilafranca, expressed gratitude and emphasized that the candidacy was the result of a collective effort to preserve this legacy.
This recognition not only underscores the archaeological richness of Talayotic Menorca but also highlights the island’s ability to conserve and protect its natural and archaeological heritage. Menorca, which has been a Biosphere Reserve for 30 years, now joins the select few places in the world with dual UNESCO recognition.
Key Sites of Talayotic Menorca:
Talayotic Menorca consists of nine territorial areas encompassing 280 sites, along with their associated landscapes. These landscape ensembles, referred to as components, have been selected for their outstanding representation of Menorca’s Cyclopean architecture and Talayotic culture. Here are the main sites included:
- Llanos de Ciutadella
- Naveta des Tudons
- Poblado de Torralba
- Poblado de Torretrencada
- Suroeste
- Son Catlar
- Poblado de Son Catlar
- Migjorn occidental
- Son Mercer de Baix
- Cova des Pas
- Poblado de Son Mercer de Baix
- Barrancos del centro-sur
- Poblado de Sant Agustí
- Galliner de Madona
- Cova des Coloms
- Poblado de Sant Agustí
- Área entre los barrancos de Torrevella y Cala en Porter
- Poblado de Torre d’en Galmés
- Sepulcro de ses Roques Llises
- Na Comerma de sa Garita
- Área sureste, Alaior
- Torralba d’en Salort
- Navetas de Rafal Rubí
- Poblado de So na Caçana
- Cova de Biniedrís
- Necrópolis de Calescoves
- Área sureste, Maó
- Talaiot de Torelló
- Poblado de Talatí de Dalt
- Poblado de Cornia Nou
- Talaiot de Torelló
- Poblado de Trepucó
- Trepucó
- Poblado de Trepucó
- Área noroeste de Tramuntana
- Sa Torreta de Tramuntana
- Poblado de Sa Torreta de Tramuntana
- Mina de cobre de Sa Mitja Lluna
This prehistoric heritage, with its diversity and uniqueness, is an exceptional testament to the Talayotic culture that thrived in Menorca for over 1,500 years and is now part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage club alongside other globally renowned cultural treasures.
As Menorcans, we cannot help but feel a profound sense of pride in this historic moment for our island. The recognition of Talayotic Menorca as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a tribute to our past, to the tireless dedication of those who have worked hard to preserve our heritage, and to the unparalleled beauty of our land. This achievement fills us with joy and gratitude, but it also carries a great responsibility. We must ensure the conservation and transmission of this heritage to future generations. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone who has contributed to this success and express our gratitude to UNESCO for recognizing the importance of Talayotic Menorca. May this honor inspire us to continue protecting and sharing this unique gem in the Mediterranean with the world. Long live Menorca, now and always!