The town born from the 17th-century Castell de Sant Antoni

The town born from the 17th-century Castell de Sant Antoni

Photo: Herodotptlomeu ( talk ) / Wikimedia Commons , CC BY-SA 3.0 , resized

Discover how a 17th-century Spanish fortress served as the foundation for Fornells before being dismantled.

The town of Fornells owes its existence to a singular architectural feat. In the 17th century, the Spanish constructed the Castell de Sant Antoni at a strategic point in the local harbor. Because of this building, the town was born.

Not far from the castle, there is the Fornells Tower, a defensive tower whose objective was protecting the castle from enemy attacks. Over the years, ownership of the island shifted, including a period of British domination. After this period, the Spanish dismantled the castle, just like St. Philip's Castle.

Only some ruins are left from the structure today. These weathered stones offer a clear view into the 17th-century masonry that founded the village. While the primary structures are gone, the site remains a place for inquiry. It serves as a visible reminder of how one piece of military architecture can dictate the layout of a town.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Guide me

Hear this story where it happened, along with the others around it. Say how many days you have and what you are into, and we put together a route through these places, with a voice guide telling each story as you arrive.

Guide me

Written by Nik Frost

Discuss this with the author and others

No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.