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Local Handicrafts and Shopping
In addition to the local specialities and quaint old-fashioned stores that you can find all over the island, there are several outdoor handicrafts markets to attend in Menorca. These are located in the towns of Ferreries, Alaior, Es Mercadal and Es Rodal (Ciutadella).
Ferreries: This market features plants and flowers, locally produced fruit and vegetables, cakes of Arabic origin, pottery, baskets, wood carving, decorative gourds, glass, dolls, wooden boxes, and a lot more. This market also features entertainment, with local folk dances in traditional costumes which lend an air of happiness and atmosphere to the market.
When and Where? - Saturday mornings from 8am until 1pm in the middle of the town, at the Placa Espana, all year round.
Es Mercadal: The town of Es Mercadal is located in the geographical center of the island, 20 kms away from the airport and Port Mahon, and also to the town of Ciutadella. At this weekly market you can meet the local craftspeople direct and discover a big selection of their handicrafts: including typical Menorquin summer sandals known as 'avarcas', painted clothes, flowers and much more such as entertainment and local folk dancing.
When and Where? - Thursday evenings in the summer, at the new Pare Camps Square, from 7 to 10pm.
Es Rodal (Ciutadella): In the center of the old town of Ciutadella, in this market you'll find antiques, pottery, woven baskets, paintsing and typical products of the island.
When and Where? Every Friday during the summer from 7 to 10pm in the following streets: Santissim, Seminari, Roser and Dolors.
Alaior: This 'mercat de nit' is an evening market with a wide range of handicraft stands including demonstrations of how things are produced. There is also live music.
When and Where? Every Wednesday evening in the summer between 7 and 10pm.
Nature and the Environment
With a land mass of only 700 square kilometers, Menorca is known as an island of beautiful beaches, but it also offers a unique ecological and natural diversity which is there to be explored, enjoyed and cherished.
It is also land of wetlands (ponds, lagoons, marshes), dunes, islets, and gullies; of woodlands, and birds, bugs, wildlife and unique geological features, including 50 natural land caves and 100 underwater caves located in the north and south of the island. Those not connected to the sea have species not found anywhere else!
Plant life
In addition to beaches, Menorca has a rocky landscape and coastline.
From a biological point of view, this is very important, as it provides the home for a number of species exclusive to the region.
Shrub species such as soccarrells are unique, hiding among their thorny and pin-cushion like appearance smaller fragile plants that use the shrub for protection from the wind. Likewise, other plants live leeward to the socarells, thereby utilizing them as protection.
Tall and dense Mediterranean bushes cover the north-western coastal area between Sa Punta Rotja and Ets Alocs, where the tallest of the Menorca cliffs can be found, along with important marine birds such as the Cory's shearwaters, cormorants, seagulls and numerous birds of prey.
Wetlands & Dunes
Wetlands are found all over the island, and feature different types of flora and fauna.
In the Es Mignorn region in the south of the island, there are a number of gullies that offer incredible vistas, with a rich and varied abundance of fauna and flora. There are 220 species, 26 of which are endemic. Between 35 and 40 gullies can be found here although not more than a few of them are more than 3 miles long. Their origins are due to tectonic movements, the excavating action of flowing water over time, and sea level variations over centuries.
One of the most important of the coastal wetlands is the Es Grau nature reserve. Others of note are the ones located at Addaia, Son Saura and Son Bou. These wetlands between them have eight dune systems:
Northern Dunes:
· Albufera de Es Grau
· Tirant
· Cavalleria
· Pregonda
· Cala Pilar
· La Vall
· Son Saura
Southern Dunes:
· Son Bou
Vegetation to note in the dune areas:
· sea lilies(Pancratium maritimum)
· marine thistle (Eryngium maritimum)
· spurge (Euphorbia paralias)
Each of these plants have a great capacity to retain water and thereby help stabilize the dunes.
The interior areas adjacent to these dune systems contain woody vegetation, including shrubs such as:
· sabine (Juniperus phoenices)
· lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus)
· privet (Phillyrea latifolia).
Woodlands
The island has three types of woodland: oak, pine and wild olive. The oak woods are primarily found in the central part of the island, and near to a few of the gullies. The dominating tree of this group is the Quercus ilex, knowns for its dense evergreen shade. Shrubs nearby to this area are the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), the buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) and the privet (Phillyrea latifolia).
Nearby some of the oak woods you can find the cyclamens. In areas of the island that are very dry (too dry for oaks) the wild olive woods can be found.
In fact the wild olive can be found all over the island. These woods are shady, low and dense, and can be independent or found integrated with other species, or next to dry stone walls. They are beautiful to look at.
Placa des Pins in the center of Ciutadella
Pine woods also cover large stretches of the land, mainly in the center and north-eastern parts of the island. One of these species only exists in Menorca; the Pinus ceciliae. Only a few examples can be found still on the southern coastal area of Migjorn Gran.
Learn more
For a sweeping view of the natural wildlife of the island, visit the Binissues bug, butterfly and nature museum, adjacent to the fabulous restaurant and estate of Binissues near Ferreries. Here you can see a taxidermy display of all the wildlife to be found on the island. It is not to be missed, and especially fun for kids!
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In-Menorca
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