Portal de Sant Roc
Mahón's sole surviving medieval gateway, the Portal de Sant Roc, offers a free, striking glimpse into the city's defensive past with its Gothic arch a...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Always accessible and free
Portal de Sant Roc
Best Time
Always accessible and free
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Mahón's sole surviving medieval gateway, the Portal de Sant Roc, offers a free, striking glimpse into the city's defensive past with its Gothic arch and towers.
"The Portal de Sant Roc is the only remaining remnant of the ancient wall that surrounded the city of Maó."
Free to Visit
No tickets needed! This historical gem is freely accessible from the street. :moneywithwings:
Quick Photo Op
A great spot for a quick photo capturing a piece of Mahón's history. :camerawithflash:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Gothic Archway
Main portal structure
Admire the impressive segmental arch connecting two slender, windowless towers, a testament to medieval defensive architecture.
Sant Roc Niche
Inside the portal
Discover the niche housing an image of Saint Roch with his dog, a historical and artistic detail from the 17th century.
Remnant of City Walls
Surrounding structure
Visualize the scale of Mahón's ancient fortifications, with this portal being the only surviving piece of the original city wall.
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A Glimpse of Mahón's Past
Location and Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free to Visit
No tickets needed! This historical gem is freely accessible from the street. :moneywithwings:
Quick Photo Op
A great spot for a quick photo capturing a piece of Mahón's history. :camerawithflash:
Connects to Town Center
Easily walk to the town hall and Santa Maria church from here via Sant Roc Street. :walking:
Tips
from all over the internet
Free to Visit
No tickets needed! This historical gem is freely accessible from the street. :moneywithwings:
Quick Photo Op
A great spot for a quick photo capturing a piece of Mahón's history. :camerawithflash:
Connects to Town Center
Easily walk to the town hall and Santa Maria church from here via Sant Roc Street. :walking:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Portal de Sant Roc to be a worthwhile, free historical remnant of Mahón's ancient city walls. Its Gothic architecture and the preserved niche with Saint Roch are noted highlights. While cars still pass through, it offers a unique glimpse into the city's past and is easily accessible.
"The Porta de Sant Roc, located on one of the streets adjacent to the center of Mahón, is definitely worth a visit. Nestled between the houses, it can be visited from the outside without waiting and is free."
Ivan Gi
"The Sant Roc portal is the only remaining remnant of the ancient wall that surrounded the city of Maó.
The portal is Gothic in style and consists of two slender square towers joined together by a large segmental arch. The towers lack windows, with only a few arrow slits in their walls. Starting in the 19th century, houses were built attached to one of the towers, which still stand today.
The name Sant Roc comes from a small chapel dedicated to the saint, built in the 17th century. Today, only an image of the saint remains, enclosed in a niche on the inside of the portal. The image shows Sant Roc with his dog (as the famous tongue twister goes: "Saint Roque's dog has no tail because Ramón Rodríguez cut it off").
Following the conquest of the island of Menorca from the Muslims by King Alfonso III in 1287, construction of the walls began in the 14th century, during the reign of Peter IV the Ceremonious.
At the end of the 18th century, when the city of Mahón began to expand along the suburbs, surpassing the walls, the walls became unnecessary. This led to their demolition at the beginning of the 20th century, leaving only this gate standing.
This gate, in fact, connected with the Sant Antoni suburb. It was also the natural exit to the road leading to Ciutadella.
Today, it is a somewhat overlooked monument, beneath which cars still pass.
From here, you can reach the town hall and the church of Santa Maria via Sant Roc Street."
Fernando Patacona
"The Portal of Sant Roc
After the conquest of Menorca by the Muslims in 1287, one of the greatest concerns of the monarchs was to protect, with solid walls, the urban cores of Mahón and Ciutadella.
With the first expansion of the castle and the town of Mahón, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the wall surrounded the town through the streets. The rest of the city was protected by the high cliffs above the port.
This gate has been restored and gives an idea of the impressive walls that protected the city."
JPL
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Portal de Sant Roc is located on a street adjacent to the center of Mahón. It's easily accessible on foot from most central locations. Simply navigate towards the city center, and you'll find it nestled between houses. No specific public transport is required as it's a walkable landmark.
While cars still pass through the portal, street parking in the immediate vicinity can be limited. It's advisable to look for parking in the main public parking areas in Mahón's city center and then walk to the portal.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, tickets are not required. The Portal de Sant Roc is a free, open-air monument that can be visited from the outside at any time.
As it's an outdoor monument and part of a street, there are no set opening hours. You can view and appreciate the Portal de Sant Roc at any time of day or night.
There is no entrance fee. The Portal de Sant Roc is a free historical site, making it an accessible attraction for all visitors.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The Portal de Sant Roc is the only remaining part of the ancient medieval wall that once surrounded Mahón. It's a Gothic-style gateway with two slender towers joined by a large arch.
You can admire the Gothic architecture of the portal, including its segmental arch and slender towers. Look for the niche inside that holds an image of Saint Roch with his dog.
A visit to the Portal de Sant Roc is quite brief. You can see and appreciate it in just a few minutes, making it a perfect quick stop while exploring Mahón.
Since it's an open-air monument on a street, it is generally accessible. However, the surrounding streets may have uneven surfaces, so caution is advised.
Yes, absolutely! It's a popular spot for quick photos capturing a piece of Mahón's history.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the Portal de Sant Roc is located in Mahón's city center, which is brimming with restaurants, cafes, and tapas bars. You'll find plenty of dining options within a short walking distance.
📸 📸 Photography
Since it's an outdoor monument, any time of day can offer good photo opportunities. Early morning or late afternoon light might provide softer, more flattering illumination for your shots.
Try photographing it from a slight distance to capture both towers and the arch. You can also get closer to focus on the architectural details and the niche with the saint's image.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Since cars still pass through, it's important to keep a close eye on children. The portal is easily accessible from Mahón's center, making it a convenient addition to a day of exploring the town. You can easily combine this visit with a walk to the nearby town hall or the church of Santa Maria.
🚶 Budget Travelers
You can easily incorporate it into a walking tour of Mahón without any expense. Its central location means you can access it on foot from many accommodations, saving on transportation costs.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History of Mahón's Walls
The initial wall surrounded the town through its streets, with the high cliffs above the port offering additional natural protection. Over centuries, as Mahón expanded beyond its original boundaries, particularly in the late 18th century, the walls gradually became less necessary. This led to their demolition in the early 20th century, leaving only the Portal de Sant Roc as a reminder of its defensive past. The portal itself connected with the Sant Antoni suburb and served as the natural exit towards the road leading to Ciutadella.
Today, the restored portal offers a tangible connection to this history. It's a fascinating point of reflection, especially considering that cars still pass beneath its ancient archway, creating a unique juxtaposition of past and present. The presence of a niche inside, housing an image of Saint Roch, adds another layer of historical and cultural significance, dating back to a 17th-century chapel dedicated to the saint.
Architectural Significance
Adding to its unique character, houses were built attached to one of the towers starting in the 19th century, a practice that continues to this day. This integration of residential structures with the ancient fortification highlights the evolving use of historical sites. The portal's name originates from a small chapel dedicated to Saint Roch, built in the 17th century, and the image of the saint with his dog, still preserved in a niche within the portal, is a significant detail for those interested in local iconography and folklore.
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