Naveta des Tudons

Of all the prehistoric monuments on Menorca, this is probably the most visited. Until the 1950s it was dishevelled and overgrown; for centuries it had been used as a cattle shed but was fully restored in 1959-60 and again in 1975.

The word naveta describes a burial chamber, built in the shape of an upturned boat Most are horseshoe shaped in design, with a low, narrow entrance at the straight end and a small antechamber leading into the main burial chamber. Some, like this, were built on two storeys; the bodies were left to decompose upstairs and the bones were subsequently transferred to the ground floor ossuary. Excavations in the 1950s revealed at least 100 corpses in Naveta des Tudons, some with bronze bracelets still around their arm bones.

Navetas are unique to Menorca of around 45 remaining; this is in the best condition. It is 14m long, 6m wide and around 4m high. Although a notice warns you not to disturb the stones by climbing, you can enter the naveta on hands and knees for a close look at the main chamber, supported by stone columns. You may even think you can smell the bones.

Because it is on the main road so close to Ciutadella, Naveta des Tudons attracts a large number of visitors. Come here early in the morning or late in the afternoon to catch some of the atmosphere and history of this place