If you are thinking of coming to Menorca you are probably thinking of mild temperatures, sunny days, beautiful nature and great food, and that is exactly what awaits you, but remember too, that Minorca is an island of many faces with an incredible history and culture to be discovered by all who love her. Today we introduce you to the island of Lazareto de Maó, which takes its name from the isolation hospital also on the island, located inside the port of Mahón. The Lazareto was built at the end of the 18th century and served as a quarantine station until 1917. The local Real estate agent Engel & Völkers Menorca has compiled interesting information about the former quarantine station for you, and would also like to present a fabulous house for sale, to those of you interested in buying property on the island.
The history of Lazareto de Maó dates back to 1793 at a time when diseases like leprosy and the bubonic plague was reaching the shores of Menorca with ships arriving from East and North Africa. To protect Menorca from epidemics, King Carlos III ordered the construction of Lazareto de Maó on the Isla del Lazareto and entrusted his minister, the Count of Floridablanca, with implementing this project. The Lazareto is surrounded by a seven-meter-high wall and consists of three areas, each serving a specific purpose: the first area was intended for ship crews affected by an epidemic, the second for sailors with non-infectious diseases, and the third for ships that reached the port with only one sick crew member. In the centre of the Lazareto was a chapel, and the complex included 5 watchtowers, 7 warehouses, 49 kitchens, and 141 rooms. During the time it served as a quarantine station, from a total of 13,864 ships, 111,184 passengers and 276,693 crew members, passed through one of the three areas before being allowed to enter Menorca.
In 1993, Lazareto de Maó was declared a cultural heritage site, granting the Balearic Island a high cultural status. The renovated spaces of Lazareto are now used for seminars and conferences by the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Research Institute for Menorcan history. If you are keen to learn more about Lazareto de Maó, from May to October there are boats to the island starting from the Cales Fonts port. Two-and-a-half-hour guided tours are available, providing insights into Lazareto and its history, as well as additional information about this significant structure.
Do not miss the opportunity to find out more about this intriguing island and its rich history when visiting Minorca, whether you are on holiday, already a resident or considering buying a first or second home on the island. Engel & Völkers would be delighted to become your house hunting partner and to share more about Menorca as a whole.
If you want to buy a property in Minorca and are looking forward to exploring the entire island, its cultural highlights, including the Lazareto, contact our real estate agents for all the information and tips that will make your new adventure even better. If you are interested in purchasing a spectacular villa, take a look at this fabulous home for sale in exclusive Cala Partió, Mahon. Renovated in 2018 and in a first-class state of repair, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, modern interiors and every comfort, grand views over the port and a beautiful pool area, as well as a little piece of beach right in front of the house and the possibility of a private mooring. It doesn’t get much better!
If you are searching for something extra special that has brand new interiors and modern comforts, this house should be on your must view list!
If you are interested in this property or would like to explore more properties for sale across Menorca, please contact our real estate team. Call us on +34 971 369 275 or reach out to us through our online contact form, accessible through the button on the sidebar in our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
