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The '''Isabela II Fortress''' or '''La Mola Fortress''' is a Spanish military complex located on the Mola peninsula, at the entrance to the port of ], on the island of ], opposite the ], which protects the entrance to the port from the other side of the mouth. Next to this fortress is the ]. | ||
| Its name comes from Queen Isabella II, who ordered it to be built in the mid-19th century. | Its name comes from ], who ordered it to be built in the mid-19th century. | ||
| == History == | == History == | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Following the demolition of the San Felipe castle, in 1850 work began on the fortress, built on the Mola peninsula, in the port, with three objectives: to defend the port, to constitute the base of operations for all the Army forces on the island and to serve as a security stronghold, ultimately, for said forces. | Following the demolition of the San Felipe castle, in 1850 work began on the fortress, built on the Mola peninsula, in the port, with three objectives: to defend the port, to constitute the base of operations for all the ] on the island and to serve as a security stronghold, ultimately, for said forces. | ||
| The fortification was inaugurated in 1852, still incomplete, and in 1860, Queen Isabel II visited the works. By the time its construction was completed, in 1875, it had already become outdated due to the evolution in artillery technology, so, in 1896, modern batteries were installed around the coast of the peninsula and cannons with a range of about 40 km. | The fortification was inaugurated in 1852, still incomplete, and in 1860, Queen Isabel II visited the works. By the time its construction was completed, in 1875, it had already become outdated due to the evolution in artillery technology, so, in 1896, modern batteries were installed around the coast of the peninsula and cannons with a range of about 40 km. | ||
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| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * {{official website|https://www.fortalesalamola.com/en/home}} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 03:31, 31 December 2024
| Mola Fortress | |
|---|---|
_35.JPG) | |
| File:Menorca | |
| Type | Fortification |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Restored |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1849-1875 |
| Materials | |
The Isabela II Fortress or La Mola Fortress is a Spanish military complex located on the Mola peninsula, at the entrance to the port of Mahón, on the island of Menorca, opposite the castillo de San Felipe, which protects the entrance to the port from the other side of the mouth. Next to this fortress is the eastern most point of Spain.
Its name comes from Queen Isabella II, who ordered it to be built in the mid-19th century.
History
Following the demolition of the San Felipe castle, in 1850 work began on the fortress, built on the Mola peninsula, in the port, with three objectives: to defend the port, to constitute the base of operations for all the Army forces on the island and to serve as a security stronghold, ultimately, for said forces.
The fortification was inaugurated in 1852, still incomplete, and in 1860, Queen Isabel II visited the works. By the time its construction was completed, in 1875, it had already become outdated due to the evolution in artillery technology, so, in 1896, modern batteries were installed around the coast of the peninsula and cannons with a range of about 40 km.
The fortified area includes the Princess Tower, one of the two towers built on the Mola peninsula by the English in 1799, during their third occupation of the island.
The military importance of the port of Mahón has been very clear for centuries, especially since the 16th century, when political conditions made it a maritime port of call for the Spanish Crown to connect with its Italian possessions. Later, during the British rule of Menorca, it was the support port for the English Mediterranean fleet, and finally, in the 19th century, it became the crossroads of the French route from Toulon to Algiers with the English Mediterranean route from Gibraltar to Malta.
The dimensions of the port, its draft, and protection from the prevailing winds of the Western Mediterranean, made it one of the best in the Mediterranean, according to the well-known phrase of the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria "July, August, and the port of Mahón, are the best ports in the Mediterranean."
But the fortress of Isabel II (popularly called the fortress of La Mola due to its location on the Mola peninsula), is a Spanish work, started after the demolition of the castle of San Felipe, as a consequence of the reactivation of international tensions in the Western Mediterranean, when France occupied Algeria.
In November 2007, the Government signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defence under which the latter gave it the old Punta Afuera defence installation for a period of 15 years, extendable up to a maximum of 75; for its part, the Government committed to its rehabilitation in order to dedicate this space to the creation of a centre for scientific purposes.
In November 2007, the Government signed an agreement with the Ministry of Defence under which the latter gave it the old Punta Afuera defence installation for a period of 15 years, extendable up to a maximum of 75; for its part, the Government committed to its rehabilitation in order to dedicate this space to the creation of a centre for scientific purposes.