Municipality of Es Mercadal, Minorca

The bell tower of the church of Sant Martí dominates this town situated in the island’s central area, at the foot of its highest point, Mount Toro. Its location made it an obligatory refreshment post when travelling was slow, but there are many locals and tourists who carry on the tradition (with the excuse, for example, of entering the town to buy some typical cakes in Ca’s Sucrer, an establishment of merited fame). In the past it was the main town of a very large district – including the original towns of Es Migjorn and Ferreries – and had the privilege of holding a market – from where its name derives – once a week. With the same simplicity of its oldest houses, the eminently rural nature of the area is still perceptible, where the number of people who sowed the seed in the fields was much higher than the number who lived in the town. Urban growth in recent years has practically doubled the land space that was occupied before, but the centre itself has hardly changed. Unique constructions that stand out above the rest include the great aljub or tank and the flourmill transformed into a restaurant. The aljub is another of the contributions to the communication system and public services that were introduced during the mandate of Sir Richard Kane on the island (see page 85). It was built by Pere Carreras in 1735 and with its enormous collecting and storage capacity of rainfall, it solved the water supply problems of a good many local people. The stairs leading to the cover announce its presence now that it has been half-hidden by houses. Before reaching Es Mercadal coming from Alaior, you can see, alongside the road, on the height known as Penya de s’Indio, an unusual sight. It is a monolith in which fractures and erosion have naturally cut out the form of an Indian chief wearing a feather headdress. In summer, every Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. the colourful handicrafts market is held in the Plaça Pare Camps: items of pottery, flowers, painted clothes, avarques (country sandals), wickerwork and forging on display with the festive accompaniment of dances and live music.