Curiosities of Son Bou

Dated V-VI Century The oldest and best conserved monument of its type. Situated at the top of the beach, just up from the two tower beach hotels. The walled in site measures 21 mts x 11 mts, and quite visual to the eye are the three chambers separated by columns and the main alter, in and around the site tombs carved into the rocks

To reach this fascinating protected site you have to travel up the main Alaior – Son Bou for about 3 kms and then take the turning to the left for another 2 kms. Torre d´en Galmés is one of the best Talayotic villages (Talayot is a pre-historic period) covering some 60.000 square meters. Although Talayotic settlements are everywhere in Menorca, human settlement in Menorca has been verified right back to the Bronze Age (2000 BC) and this period is the pre-Talayotic period which left various burial monuments such as megalithic tombs and collective tombs called navetas (Naveta des Tudons , close to Ciudadela ). Towards 1400 B.C. this period evolved into the Talayotic period dated between 2000 and 1000 BC, significant for its production of various large stone constructions known as Talayots (watchtower). Taulas are signficant to the Talayotic period and are two slabs of rock, with another placed on top of them in a T shape, much like the structures at Stonehenge. Other features significant to these settlements are talayot circular or square buildings. Nobody knows for sure their original use, but various ideas are on the table such as their function as tombs, guard-houses, meeting places or perhaps living quarters. *Within the site of Torre den Galmés there are the remains of three “talayots”, a “taula” and a “hipóstila”

Considered and justly awarded as an area of natural interest (Área Natural de Especial Interés (ANEI)): This prairie, rich in scientific and biological interest, lies between the beach and the two estates of Torre Soli and San Jaime and is home to many a beautiful migratory bird, roaming between Europe and Africa.