The recent history of Minorca. Traces of a British past.

During the 18th Century, Minorca was a bone of contention among the British, French and Spanish powers. And with good reason, the Port of Mahon, the finest natural harbour in the Mediterranean, and one of the best in the world, could protect, behind its fearsome forts, the largest fleets of the time in their entirety.

The Utrecht Treaty, signed in 1713, gave place to the first British presence on the Minorca, which lasted until 1755. Richard Kane, the first British Governor, is still fondly remembered for his effective support of agriculture on the island; he introduced the cultivation of the apple, promoted cattle breeding and built roads and reservoirs which are still in use today.

There were two later periods of British presence on Minorca, from 1763 till 1781 and 1798 to 1808. The British left more than their earthworks and ramparts behind. Things as varied as the growth of Mahon, who enthusiastically accepted the opportunities for trade and the abolition of the Inquisition; the sauce we traditionally use on a great many of our dishes, which we still call grevi; the traditional woodworking and boat building techniques and designs; and our most popular drink, gin, which we'll talk about in the next section.

The Golden Farm, a summer house near Mahon, is one of the symbols of British presence on Minorca, perhaps as much as the bow and sash windows still to be found in the capital's old quarter.