Port of Sanitja – Sanisera

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Última actualización: 20/08/2024

port of Sanitja or Sanisera is a natural harbor theoretically located next to the ancient Roman city of Sanisera.
The port is located on the Cavalleria cape and has a length of 800 meters that together with its low seabed make it a very good shelter for boats when the dreaded Tramontana wind blows.
The port itself is very little exploited and only a few wooden boats can be seen in it during the tourist season.

The entrance to the port was formerly defended by the Sanitja Tower, an English defense tower built in 1860 with stone and mortar .

The tower cannot be visited on the inside as it has deteriorated over time and is partially collapsed.

Article contents

History

The first written reference to the city of Sanisera dates back to the 1st century AD in the book of the scientific writer Pliny the Elder.
Despite this there is still controversy about the actual location of the city of Sanisera.
One of the peculiarities of the city of Sanitja is the multitude of different names that appear throughout history to describe it, such as Seneua, Seneli, Sa Nitja, Senige, Senitja, Seniglles or Senigta.
As if this confusion of place names were not enough, its location on maps throughout history has also been changing.

As of today there is still no consensus on the location of the ancient city of Sanisera, so if you want to be informed about it the best thing to do is to look at specialized archaeological sources and Wikipedia from time to time.

How to get to Sanitja

By Car or Bike

To get to the port of Sanitja or Sanisera you will have to go by car or bike:

From Ciutadella you have to go towards Maó by the main road and turn off at Es Mercadal.
From Maó you also have to take the main road towards Ciutadella and turn off at Es Mercadal.

Once in Es Mercadal you have to follow the indications to go to the beaches of the area or the indications to go to the lighthouse of Cavalleria.

Once There…

If you have come to the port of Sanitja is most probably because you were passing by there on your way to the lighthouse of Cavalleria.
If not, a visit to the lighthouse with one of the most spectacular sunsets in Menorca is a must.
Once you have strolled through the harbor and contemplated the wooden docks and small boats, always in sight of the distant defense tower, you can take the opportunity to visit Cala Cavalleria or Cala Mica .

If you are looking for a smaller and not so comfortable beach you can try Cala Viola, right between the port and the lighthouse.
And if you still feel like more activities you can take the opportunity to visit one of the markets of Es Mercadal.