Substantial Talayotic settlement...

The talayotic settlement of Torre d'en Galmés, extending over six hectares, the biggest in Minorca and one of the biggest in the Balearic Islands. The settlement is highly monumental and preserves a great diversity of constructions of a remarkable quality.

It is set on a hill, from which there is a perfect panoramic view over most of the south coast of Minorca. This privileged setting added to the three talayots lead specialists to think that Torre d'en Galmés exercised some degree of supremacy over the rest of the settlements on the island.

It was occupied during the Early Bronze Age, around 1,600 B.C., and judging from the remains found, remained so until the mediaeval era. In its heyday, from 1,300 B.C. until the Roman Era, some 900 persons must have lived there.

The Torre d'en Galmés site consists of a large number of constructions, among them its three talayots, numerous circular talayotic houses, the taula enclosure, a hypostyle hall, a water collection system and up to four hypogeums than would originally have had a funerary function.

The area now forms part of a museum and has a an interpretation centre that is well worth calling in on before your visit.

Access:

Reached by the Alaior to Son Bou road. At the 2.2 kilometre mark, turn left along a rural path and continue for 1.3 kilometres to reach the site. Accessible by taking itinerary 16 of the Camí dels Cavalls path (Son Bou - Cala en Porter). Road signs to site.

Open to the general public.

Parking:

Yes.

There is parking space for 10 cars at the settlement and a second space for 10/15 cars at the Interpretation Centre.

Visits:

Approximate opening hours

January to April - every day - free access

May to October - Mondays, free access - Tuesday and Sunday 9h to 16h - Wednesday to Saturday, 9h to 20:15

November and December - every day - free access

Prices

Consult web site: www.menorca.es or Tel. 902 929 015.

Information panels on site.

There is an Interpretation Centre with explanatory videos, information panels and reproductions of archaeological material recovered on the site. Open tuesday to saturday from 9:15 to 14:15h; sundays, from 9:00 to 16:00h