{"id":57894,"date":"2026-02-04T14:22:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T14:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viajamenorca.com\/sin-categorizar\/es-mercadal\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T20:54:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:54:01","slug":"es-mercadal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.viajamenorca.com\/en\/tourist-guide\/villages\/es-mercadal\/","title":{"rendered":"Es Mercadal"},"content":{"rendered":"

The town of Es Mercadal is located in the heart of Menorca, at the foot of Monte Toro, the highest peak of the island with 357 meters high. It is the administrative capital of the municipality<\/strong> <\/a>of the same name. <\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Municipality<\/a>
Municipality of Es Mercadal<\/strong><\/a>, Menorca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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A charming village<\/span><\/h2>\n

This charming village sits in a beautiful valley overlooked by the Mount Toro <\/strong><\/a>where the sanctuary of the Virgen del Toro (Verge del Toro), patron saint of Menorca and one of the main spiritual and religious centers of the island, is located.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Es<\/a>
Es Mercadal, with Monte Toro in the background<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With a welcoming population and a peaceful environment, the village stands out for its traditional architecture. Its old town is ideal for a pleasant stroll among picturesque quiet streets and whitewashed houses that preserve the genuine character of the Menorcan interior.<\/p>\n

This environment makes it a perfect destination to enjoy the essence of the island and immerse yourself in its local atmosphere. Moreover, thanks to its central location, Es Mercadal is an excellent starting point for touring the island with ease.<\/p>\n

History<\/span><\/h2>\n

The village of Mercadal has more than seven hundred years of history, dating back to the thirteenth century, after the reconquest of the island by Alfonso III of Aragon in 1287.<\/h3>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Typical Menorcan door<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A group of people from Girona settled at the foot of the mountain of Toro, building a parish around which the village grew.<\/p>\n

It received from King Jaime II of Mallorca<\/strong> in 1301, along with Ciutadella<\/strong><\/a> y Mah\u00f3n<\/strong><\/a> the privilege of holding a market every Thursday <\/strong><\/a>(market that a few years ago was recovered and reached a great popularity).<\/span><\/p>\n

The church <\/a><\/strong>was initially dedicated to the patron saint of Gerona(San Narciso<\/strong>), until 1431 when it was dedicated to San Mart\u00edn.<\/strong> In 1767 it was rebuilt on its foundations, acquiring a Renaissance style. Renaissance style<\/strong><\/a> very common at the time. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gastronomy<\/span><\/h2>\n

The municipality of Es Mercadal<\/strong><\/a> has a great fame for its gastronomy<\/a><\/strong> and has a great variety of restaurants<\/strong><\/a> for all tastes, from those that prepare traditional dishes to the most avant-garde.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also noteworthy are its bakeries and ovens, where Menorcan pastries are made. traditional Menorcan pastries<\/a><\/strong> traditional pastries, such as the ensaimada <\/strong><\/a>pastissets, pastissets, bitter pastries, or the famous “carquinyols <\/strong><\/a>almond “carquinyols”.

\r\n \"Boat\r\n<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n

One of the best known specialties is the caldereta de langosta (lobster stew) from Fornells<\/a><\/strong><\/span>A very old and delicious dish that even King Juan Carlos tasted every summer, along with other personalities, which has consolidated its well-deserved fame.<\/p>\n

In addition, Es Mercadal has a multitude of farms(llocs<\/strong>) where wonderful cheeses are produced. cheeses<\/strong><\/a> y artisan sausages <\/strong><\/a>which are sold on the farms themselves or at the village market.<\/p>\n

Information of interest<\/span><\/h2>\n