Museo Histórico Militar de Menorca
Spanish Army museum in es Castell on the military history of Menorca, housed in former 18th-century barracks; free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum occupies a barracks built in the 18th century during the British presence on the island, in one of the buildings surrounding the former parade ground of es Castell, now the Plaza de la Esplanada. The building had many uses: it housed troops, served as a military hospital, hosted the Artillery Academy from 1811, and in the mid-19th century sheltered the families of the workers building the La Mola fortress. At the end of that century it was the seat of the coastal artillery regiment, and gunners occupied it for much of the 20th century.
When the last military units stationed on the island were disbanded, the building was given over to preserving and displaying the historical heritage of the garrison. It is a delegated section of the Museo Histórico Militar de San Carlos in Palma and comes under the Ministry of Defence (Army).
The route covers the military history of Menorca, from the San Felipe castle and the foreign occupations of the 18th century to the La Mola fortress in the 19th century and the units withdrawn in recent times. On the upper floor a chronological route explains each period with panels. On the ground floor there are themed rooms on the army in Menorca in the 20th century, with Spanish Civil War air-raid shelters restored and furnished. In the corridors, portable weapons, maps and engravings from the 16th to the 19th centuries and old photographs are displayed.
Highlights
- Chronological route through the military history of Menorca on the upper floor
- Spanish Civil War air-raid shelters restored and furnished
- Infantry room and the Almirante Miranda room
- Portable weapons, maps and engravings from the 16th to 19th centuries
- Free admission in a former 18th-century barracks
Permanent exhibitions
- Recorrido cronológico (planta alta) – Route through the military history of Menorca over the centuries, explained with panels by period.
- El ejército en Menorca en el siglo XX (planta baja) – Themed rooms on the units stationed on the island and Spanish Civil War air-raid shelters, restored and furnished.
- Operated by
- Ministerio de Defensa (Ejército de Tierra)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. |
|---|---|
| Groups (20+ people) | –Groups of more than 20 people must arrange a date and time with the museum. |
Free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The Spanish Army states that the museum has wheelchair access.
Kids & families
Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus from Maó to es Castell.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop and bookshop, audiovisual room, assembly hall and restoration workshop. The library can be consulted by appointment by email or phone (ID card (DNI) or passport required).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits are available. Groups of more than 20 people must agree a date and time with the museum. |
