Es Castell
Es Castell is a municipality in Menorca, Spain. It lies in the east, at the entrance of the port of Mahon. The municipality has 7956 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2013). The proportion of foreigners in 2006 was 16.1 % ( 1,200), the proportion of German population 0.6 % (44). Es Castell is the most easterly town in Spain.
The name of Es Castell is used officially since 1985, and the previous name of Villa Carlos is still partially in use.
The city had in its history, a variety of names:
- Castello Sant Felip
- S'Arrabal de Sant Felip
- La Rabal Nova
- Georgetown (1771, in honor of King George III. )
- Real Villa San Carlos ( 1782, in honor of the Spanish king Charles III. )
- Villa Carlos (until 1985 )
History
The town takes its name from the Castell de San Felipe, was founded in the vicinity of the first district. Those fortress was built in response to invasion of the Turkish army; specifically attacked Mahon Barbarossa in 1535 in retaliation for the capture of Tunis by Charles V a few months earlier. The construction of the fort was not until some years later arranged by Philip II, who administered the Spanish possessions of his father at that time. In 1558, finally, the fortifications of the castle were armed and you could fend off attacks from the Ottoman side. This caused that many people from the area settled near the castle walls and form a permanently inhabited place, which grew over the years and was known as de Sant Felip s'Arrabal.
During the second British rule of the island (1763-1782) the population of s'Arrabal de Sant Felip, which was still close to the castle walls were expelled, as the location of the place represented a serious problem for the defense of the fortress. Because of the inhabitants moved further away to a place called La Rabal Nova. The place was built according to a rectangular urban planning, the generously allowed space for weapons caches in the center, which were in turn comprises of barracks. The British also enlarged the fortress to a considerable extent.
French - Spanish troops conquered and destroyed the fortress, however, in 1782, in the belief that they could change the island later with the British against Gibraltar.
During the third British control of the island (1798-1802) began with the reconstruction of the castle and its ramparts; Construction was stopped, however, as is clearly apparent that Menorca would fall to the Spaniards again. The British named the city by the name of Sant Jordi, as she was known some years before by its inhabitants to Georgetown. At this time, divided the city of Mahon and since then enjoys urban autonomy.
Festivals
Es Castell celebrates every year from 24 to 26 July, the local festival in honor of San Jaume (Spanish: Fiestas patronales de Sant Jaume ). Of the festival is - typical of Menorca - horse. The so-called Jaleo the lead rider ( Spanish / Catalan: caixers ) to diverse in the city center to folk music on their horses artistic feats. The typical drink at the festivals is the pomada. The Gin Xoriguer produced in Menorca is served with lemon lemonade in little plastic glasses.