The Fundación José María de Olives y de Ponsich, Conde de Torre-saura is expanding its guided tour offerings this summer with a new program dedicated to the ethnological heritage of Menorca. Starting July 20, the Foundation will resume guided tours of the Palace of the County of Torre-saura and, as the main new feature this season, will launch a guided tour of several dry-stone barraques and structures located on its properties, including the Barraca de sa Tanca d’Enmig and the Barraca de Comte.
The new dry-stone heritage tours will take place every Thursday at 6:00 PM and will offer a tour to discover some of the most representative constructions of the ethnological heritage preserved by the Foundation. Through the tour, visitors will be able to learn about the importance of traditional dry-stone architecture, as well as the operation of the old Menorcan farmsteads and the relationship between these constructions and the island’s agricultural and livestock activities. The traditional dry-stone technique was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The barraques and different constructions that are part of the tour are some of the most unique and monumental examples of Menorcan ethnological heritage. Recently restored using the traditional dry-stone technique, these structures have been returned to their original state and now serve as a new interpretative space to explain the history, crafts, and ways of life linked to the Menorcan countryside.
The tour will also allow visitors to discover the natural and scenic environment surrounding these structures. From certain points along the tour, visitors can enjoy privileged views of the landscape of Punta Nati and the Ciutadella area, one of the most characteristic spots on Menorca’s north coast.
With this initiative, the Torre-saura Foundation takes another step forward in its mission to preserve and promote the historical heritage under its care, opening up architectural landmarks that have until now been largely inaccessible to the public while highlighting the ongoing restoration and conservation work it carries out. Although this new activity is being launched during the summer season, the Foundation’s intention is to continue offering it throughout the winter as well, subject to demand.
Guided tours of the Palace of the County of Torre-saura will take place every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., allowing visitors to explore the manor house’s elegant reception rooms, living quarters and most representative spaces, including the former stables, which are being opened to the public for the first time this year.
Tickets for both the Palace guided tours and the new dry stone heritage route can now be booked through the following link: https://www.fundaciontorresaura.com/visita-guiada/. At present, guided tours are available in Spanish and Catalan only. The Foundation is already working to expand the programme to include additional languages from next year onwards.
