Monuments

FERRERIES

Monuments

Santa Agueda Castle Ferreries

On the top of the hill of Santa Agueda, there still exist today the ruins of an ancient fortress that was built during the time of Arab rule in Menorca. According to the testimony of researchers, there is a possibility that the castle was built on 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 with the name Sain Agaiz, and it is referred to as a point of military strategic 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 Santa Agueda Castle was the last stronghold of the Arab troops who had taken refuge inside, and the capitulations were signed on the mountain top. In memory of this event, the Christian king ordered the construction of a chapel dedicated to Santa Agueda. Gradually, the castle went into decline to the point that in 1363, its demolition was ordered, though with the express instruction to respect the tower and the church; however, the collapse did not occur, but it was abandoned instead. In the middle of the 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 that was opposed by the Jurors of the Island, who preferred to fortify the coast. From then until today, the Santa Agueda Castle has suffered significant deterioration due to weather erosion and the aggression of gold hunters, for as legend has it, a golden calf is hidden under the fortress walls. Recently, the Ferreries Town Hall 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 is very high, the ultimate intention is to recover the integrity of the site for its historical and monumental value.