Monte Toro

Monte Toro rises to 358 metres in the middle of Menorca, which on an island this low is enough to see all of it: the view from the summit covers both coasts, Mahon and Ciutadella, and on a clear day Mallorca to the west. A sanctuary stands on top, founded in the thirteenth century after a legend in which a bull led monks to an image of the Virgin hidden in a cleft, with the present church largely seventeenth century and the Virgin of Monte Toro as the island's patron. A statue of Christ and a communications mast share the summit. The road up climbs from Es Mercadal in the centre of the island, and cyclists use it as the only real climb Menorca offers.

History

At 358 m El Toro is the highest point of Menorca and holds the Sanctuary of the Verge del Toro; its name comes from the Catalan turó, hill, or perhaps the Arabic tor, height, not from the word for bull, and it is a protected natural area (Wikipedia, El Toro (Menorca)).

What you'll find

• The whole-island view - both coasts and both cities from the summit.
• The sanctuary - a seventeenth-century church with the island's patron Virgin.
• The bull legend - the founding story explained at the site.
• The Mallorca horizon - the neighbouring island visible on clear days.

When to go

April to June and September to November for clear air; hazy summer days reduce the view considerably. The sanctuary keeps a midday closure. The road is open year-round.

Practical notes

The summit is developed with a car park, cafe, souvenir shop and a large communications mast, which is not what the setting suggests. The visit takes an hour. Haze frequently blocks the Mallorca view.

Nearby

Es Mercadal lies below; Mahon and Ciutadella are at either end of the island.

Key facts