Santa Agueda

At the top of the hill of Santa Agueda, there still exist today the ruins of an ancient fortress that was built during the era of Arab rule in Menorca. According to the testimony of researchers, there is a possibility that the castle was built upon the remains of an ancient Roman structure. This opinion is supported by the discovery of Roman coins and spearheads. What is certain is that in 1232 this fortress appears in documentation under the name of Sain Agaiz and is referred to as a point of strategic military value and as a palatial residence for Muslim governors. When in 1287 the Catalan-Aragonese troops of Alfonso III conquered Menorca to incorporate it into Western culture, the castle of Santa Agueda was the last redoubt of the Arab troops who had taken refuge inside, and it was at the summit of the mountain where the capitulations were signed. In memory of this event, the Christian king ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to Santa Agueda. Gradually, the castle fell into decay to the point that in 1363 its demolition was ordered, although with the express instruction that the tower and the church be respected, but the collapse did not occur; instead, it was abandoned. In the mid-16th century, there was an attempt to rebuild the castle to face the continuous incursions of the pirates Barbarossa and Suleiman the Magnificent, a project opposed by the Jurats of the Island who preferred to fortify the coast. From then until today, the Castle of Santa Agueda has suffered significant deterioration due to meteorological erosion and the aggressions of gold seekers, as according to legend, a golden calf is hidden under the walls of the fortress. Recently, the City Council of Ferreries has established the Association of Friends of Santa Agueda and has promoted the first actions to prevent the deterioration of the Roman road providing access to the fortress. Although the project is of great magnitude and its economic cost very high, the ultimate intention is to recover the integrity of the site for its historical and monumental value.