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Sports Excursions

Cala Sant Esteve: the Achilles' heel of the port of Maó

Unverified translation
The loopholes allowed riflemen to shoot at attackers who had managed to enter the ditch.
The loopholes allowed riflemen to shoot at attackers who had managed to enter the moat. M. L. B.
Sports Excursions
M. L. B.
31/10/2025
11 images
Next to the tower, the route ends along the Camí de Cavalls, which originated to defend a public road that, since medieval times, had been used to control the entire maritime area. It is called this because it was patrolled by an armed man on horseback.
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Next to the tower, the route ends along the Camí de Cavalls, which originated to defend a public road that, since medieval times, had been used to control the entire maritime area. It is called this because it was patrolled by an armed man on horseback.
The city of Mahón and all its port infrastructure required significant protection. On one side, there was the La Mola fortress, built during the reign of Isabella II in the mid-19th century. On the other, there was Cala Sant Esteve, a crucial axis for the port's defense.
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The city of Mahón and all its port infrastructure required significant protection. On one side, there was the La Mola fortress, built during the reign of Isabella II in the mid-19th century. On the other, there was Cala Sant Esteve, a crucial axis for the port's defense.
It is also called Stuart's tower because it was built by order of General Stuart, conqueror and governor of Menorca.
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It is also called Stuart's tower because it was built by order of General Stuart, conqueror and governor of Menorca.
Penjat Tower was built by the British in 1798 on a hill next to the fort, which was still a weak point in the port's defenses. It was named after the site where the gallows for prisoners of San Felipe were located. This served as a warning to newcomers.
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Penjat Tower was built by the British in 1798 on a hill next to the fort, which was still a weak point in the port's defenses. It was named after the site where the gallows for prisoners of San Felipe were located. This served as a warning to newcomers.
During sieges, the enemy attempted to enter the fort through underground tunnels dug from the outside. Once the defenders located the attackers' position, they would detonate the nearest powder magazine, so that the force of the explosion would collapse the tunnels.
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During sieges, the enemy attempted to enter the fort through underground tunnels dug from the outside. Once the defenders located the attackers' position, they would detonate the nearest powder magazine, so that the force of the explosion would collapse the tunnels.
Cala Sant Esteve is located to the right of the entrance to the port of Maó. It is a sea inlet with two buildings of great historical interest: Sant Felip Castle and Malborough Fort, dating from the 16th and 18th centuries, respectively. Outside the cove, atop a hill, stands the Penjat Tower, built in 1789.
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Cala Sant Esteve is located to the right of the entrance to the port of Maó. It is a sea inlet with two buildings of great historical interest: Sant Felip Castle and Malborough Fort, dating from the 16th and 18th centuries, respectively. Outside the cove, atop a hill, stands the Penjat Tower, built in 1789.
Fort Marlborough was built by the British around 1720. It is named after Sir John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, the most prominent British general of the time.
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Fort Marlborough was built by the British around 1720. It is named after Sir John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, the most prominent British general of the time.
Two of the most important defensive elements of the fort were the counterscarp gallery, which surrounds the entire fortress, and the countermines.
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Two of the most important defensive elements of the fort were the counterscarp gallery, which surrounds the entire fortress, and the countermines.
The loopholes allowed riflemen to shoot at attackers who had managed to enter the moat.
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The loopholes allowed riflemen to shoot at attackers who had managed to enter the moat.
There are five tunnels leading to the countermines. These long, deep galleries were a means of defense, ending in deep pits filled with gunpowder.
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There are five tunnels leading to the countermines. These long, deep galleries were a means of defense, ending in deep pits filled with gunpowder.
The city of Mahón and all its port infrastructure required significant protection. On one side, there was the La Mola fortress, built during the reign of Isabella II in the mid-19th century. On the other, there was Cala Sant Esteve, a crucial axis for the port's defense.
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The city of Mahón and all its port infrastructure required significant protection. On one side, there was the La Mola fortress, built during the reign of Isabella II in the mid-19th century. On the other, there was Cala Sant Esteve, a crucial axis for the port's defense.
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