Cornia Nou Talayots, Mahón, Spain

Cornia Nou is a settlement dating from the Talayotic period (1000-750 B.C.) with two well preserved talayots of different types. The oldest and most spectacular is circular and measures around 26 metres in diameter, an impressive monument. It has a building in the facade with access at ground level; an inside passageway ascends to a set of steps leading up to the upper platform of the talayot.The other talaiot is considerably smaller and has a distinctive feature of a passageway covered with stone slabs crossing its diameter and joined to a wall. Excavation work carried out in 2007 uncovered the remains of pottery items dating from the post-Talayotic period in the 3rd century B.C. Plus, near the site there is a large Islamic necropolis with burial chambers carved out of the rock, which supports the hypothesis that rural settlements from the Muslim period were built on top of the sites from the Talayotic period.

References:

menorca.es

Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

User Reviews

Belen Pleguezuelos (10 months ago)
A town that contains one of the largest talayots. It should be given more importance since it is in an inaccessible place and without easy parking. It is better to enter the Me-12 road. Like all, free and free visit. It is better preserved than others of its kind.

RaÃ¼l Sintes (17 months ago)
Talayotic set recently excavated. It consists of a main Talayot, very well preserved with adjacent homes and with interior access. A second Talayot â€‹â€‹more deteriorated with an access that crosses it, wells, Sala HipÃ³stila and other annexed constructions. The visit is public and free. It is accessed by the industrial estate of MahÃ³n.

JC G. (18 months ago)
Very close to Mahon is the Talayotic town of Curnia. Very close to the airport. A very interesting visit. The visit is not guided, but it is very easy if you follow the instructions. To enter we have to cross a small Menorcan barrier. As in all other archaeological remains it is forbidden to climb it. There is an easily accessible cave. We can also imagine how they collected water in their time. Welcome to the Talayotic era of Menorca.

Tiago Schiappa (2 years ago)
Every Talaiot is amazing, visit everyone u can

Fernando Garcia (2 years ago)
Uno de los muchos momentos talayóticos de la isla de Menorca.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Martin M. Miles

Historic Site of the week

Abbey of Saint-Étienne

The Abbey of Saint-Etienne, also known as Abbaye aux Hommes ('Men"s Abbey'), is a former monastery dedicated to Saint Stephen (Saint Étienne). It is considered, along with the neighbouring Abbaye aux Dames ('Ladies" Abbey'), to be one of the most notable Romanesque buildings in Normandy. Like all the major abbeys in Normandy, it was Benedictine.

Lanfranc, before being an Archbishop of Canterbury, was abbot of Saint-Etienne. Built in Caen stone during the 11th century, the two semi-completed churches stood for many decades in competition. An important feature added to both churches in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for the first time in France. The two abbey churches are considered forerunners of the Gothic architecture. The original Romanesque apse was replaced in 1166 by an early Gothic chevet, complete with rosette windows and flying buttresses. Nine towers and spires were added in the 13th century. The interior vaulting shows a similar progression, beginning with early sexpartite vaulting (using circular ribs) in the nave and progressing to quadipartite vaults (using pointed ribs) in the sanctuary.

The two monasteries were finally donated by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, as penalty for their marriage against the Pope"s ruling. William was buried here; Matilda was buried in the Abbaye aux Dames. Unfortunately William"s original tombstone of black marble, the same kind as Matilda"s in the Abbaye aux Dames, was destroyed by the Calvinist iconoclasts in the 16th century and his bones scattered.

As a consequence of the Wars of Religion, the high lantern tower in the middle of the church collapsed and was never rebuilt. The Benedictine abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution and the abbey church became a parish church. From 1804 to 1961, the abbey buildings accommodated a prestigious high school, the Lycée Malherbe. During the Normandy Landings in 1944, inhabitants of Caen found refuge in the church; on the rooftop there was a red cross, made with blood on a sheet, to show that it was a hospital (to avoid bombings).

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Cornia Nou Talayots

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

History of Guernsey & Jersey

Most beautiful castles in Lithuania

Cultural Landscape of Sintra, Portugal

Historic Site of the week

Abbey of Saint-Étienne

Looks like you are a history fan!