Culture
The cultural opportunities are numerous and varied in Menorca. Special attention should be given to the numerous prehistoric settlements and monuments, spread out throughout the insular territory. These include, among many others, the Naveta des Tudons, Torralba den Salord, Torre den Gaumés and Cales Coves.
There are numerous museums: Museu de la Natura in Ferreries, the Museu Diocesà and the Museo Municipal des Bastió de Sa Font in Ciutadella, the Museo de Menorca and the Museo Hernández-Sanz in Maó, as well as the Museo Militar and Fort Marlborough in Es Castell.
The main cultural events of the year are the international opera week in Maó, the summer music festival and the Capella DavÃdica concerts in Ciutadella, as well as the international organ festivals in Santa Maria, Maó, and in the cathedral in Ciutadella.
Jazz concerts are also enjoying a boom and they continue to be a part of the musical offerings of the island.
GASTRONOMY
Menorcan cuisine is totally Mediterranean, based on natural and fresh ingredients from the land and the sea.
The most outstanding things are: the delicious meat from the island farms; fresh fish; shellfish and lobster (bases for the famous caldereta - lobster stew); farmhouse cheese made in Menorcan farms, with a denomination of origin and traditional cold meats.
Jam, honey and bakery products can be added to the gastronomic tradition of the island. As far as drinks are concerned, gin, that was a drink inherited from the English domination, is still made today in distilleries using traditional methods. Fruit liqueurs and herbal digestifs
are also made in a traditional manner. Mayonnaise, introduced by the French to the court of Louis XV, following the conquest of Menorca, is the best known recipe internationally that was born from Menorcan gastronomy.
HANDCRAFTS AND COMMERCE
Born out of necessity and isolation, fashion jewellery is most notable, being one of the main island industries today, recognized by the Sebime group and a fair, Eurobijoux, is held in Minorca each year. The main European fashion jewellery manufacturers participate in this fair.
Also, footwear manufactured in Menorca, is known world-wide for quality and design. Ladies shoes are best known, together with sandals and a very traditional and totally handcrafted product called the "avarca", an ancient and simple sandal for people who worked the land. Pottery, hand painted fabrics and furniture restoration are other craft activities of importance.