Rafal Rubí, Alaior, Spain - SpottingHistory.com

The Rafal Rubí navetas are two tombs of the same type as the Naveta des Tudons, but these are smaller and are unusual in that they are very close to one another. They are group burials with a perforated stone slab at the entrance to the inner chamber, which is split into two levels.

Of the two navetas, the east one is in better condition, as the front was restored in the late 1960s, when an archaeological dig was also carried out during which burial goods were found, including pottery items, rhomboid-shaped bronze pendants and part of a torc. The west naveta was excavated in 1977 and the human remains found in the upper chamber were dated to 904 B.C.The items found are on display in the Museum of Menorca.

References:

menorca.es

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

User Reviews

Jamie Hay (2 years ago)
Excellent wander round, if you like megaliths.

Josep Martí Lladó (3 years ago)
Aneu a descubrirla, us fascinarà.

Gergo Bognar (3 years ago)
If it's on your way it's worth to stop and check it out. Other way I would not visit it.

Francisco Gomez (3 years ago)
1)Be careful about your car, I recommend park it close to the Me1. 2)if the door is closed,remove the chain, it is unlocked, but remember to close the door. 3) it is a private property but you can access to see the monuments. Please keep it clean and neat. 4)enjoy the visit. Rarely hidden away, you will often glimpse them unexpectedly from the roadside, perhaps in the middle of a field, surrounded by feeding animals. These are the remains of the late-Bronze-Age Talaiot culture. Due to their abundance Menorca is often referred to as the mediteranen's largest open air museum. Settlements can be traced back to the Bronze Age, 2000 B.C. There were little or no building materials on the island besides stone so people took adavantge of the soft rock and took shelter inside it ( caves ) or under stone roofs. Pre-history, art was represented in mysterious constructions.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

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Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

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