Menorca: Fortaleza La Mola

The Fortaleza de la Mola aka Fortress of Isabel II is one of the most impressive military complexes in Europe, located on the La Mola peninsula, at the northern entrance to the port of Mahon on Menorca. It’s an absolute must-see! Built between 1848-1875 by order of Queen Isabel II, this fortress was designed to defend the strategic port of Mahon, one of the best natural harbors in the Mediterranean, against potential British or French threats. It was never used in combat, which explains its excellent state of preservation. It’s massive – a huge polygonal structure featuring land and sea defensive fronts, moats, underground galleries, powder magazines, and artillery batteries. It could take half a day to explore the sprawling complex!