Property of the Month - Binissaida Menorca - The Closest to a Stately Home in the Mediterranean
Only a short two hour flight away from the U.
K.
is a small Mediterranean island with a wealth of historical interest, as well as a well-earned reputation for wonderful holidays.
Often referred to as 'the Jewel of the Mediterranean', Menorca offers crystal blue seas, beautiful beaches and gentle summer breezes.
Fought over during Nelson's time for its strategic value as a natural harbour, Menorca enjoyed a commanding position on the old Mediterranean trade routes.
It changed hands many times by battle and by treaty so it is no surprise that the architecture is influenced by a mixture of French, Spanish and British rules.
The unusual balance of poor farming and rich merchant trade allowed extravagant homes to be built upon large estates of rich olive groves and extensive gardens.
One such property is Binissaida, close to Fort Marlborough at the south East end of the island.
Now a holiday home, this imposing property has twelve bedrooms and is as close to a stately home as you are likely to find in the Mediterranean.
In a lovely shaded courtyard used as an outside dining area there is an old private family chapel, leading to immaculate gardens, box hedges and a separate walled area that cleverly conceals the new swimming pool Binissaida is built out of a local soft stone known as Mares, cut from a nearby quarry in S'Algar.
This easy to work natural stone hardens with time and is beautifully cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and allowed the architects to design wonderful vaulted ceilings and natural arches.
Few locations can offer such a unique blend of old world history with modern facilities for the perfect summer holiday and the current owners have worked hard to maintain this subtle balance throughout the property.
Central to the upstairs of the property is an extensive library and sitting room leading to several of the bedrooms.
In a separate wing is the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and a galleried staircase leads to the top of the house with more bedrooms and a further sitting room.
The owners love to entertain and Binissaida has a modern and well equipped kitchen and a grand dining room for such occasions.
For evenings out the old fishing village of Es Castell with its harbour front of restaurants and bars is only a short drive or taxi ride away and the capital, Mao, is only ten minutes away by car.
With its reputation for offering high quality villa holidays, superb restaurants specialising in fresh seafood and Spanish Tapas, quality shops and beautiful architecture, all on an island only 25 miles long by 10 miles wide, it is no wonder Menorca has become a favourite location for the discerning traveller.
K.
is a small Mediterranean island with a wealth of historical interest, as well as a well-earned reputation for wonderful holidays.
Often referred to as 'the Jewel of the Mediterranean', Menorca offers crystal blue seas, beautiful beaches and gentle summer breezes.
Fought over during Nelson's time for its strategic value as a natural harbour, Menorca enjoyed a commanding position on the old Mediterranean trade routes.
It changed hands many times by battle and by treaty so it is no surprise that the architecture is influenced by a mixture of French, Spanish and British rules.
The unusual balance of poor farming and rich merchant trade allowed extravagant homes to be built upon large estates of rich olive groves and extensive gardens.
One such property is Binissaida, close to Fort Marlborough at the south East end of the island.
Now a holiday home, this imposing property has twelve bedrooms and is as close to a stately home as you are likely to find in the Mediterranean.
In a lovely shaded courtyard used as an outside dining area there is an old private family chapel, leading to immaculate gardens, box hedges and a separate walled area that cleverly conceals the new swimming pool Binissaida is built out of a local soft stone known as Mares, cut from a nearby quarry in S'Algar.
This easy to work natural stone hardens with time and is beautifully cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and allowed the architects to design wonderful vaulted ceilings and natural arches.
Few locations can offer such a unique blend of old world history with modern facilities for the perfect summer holiday and the current owners have worked hard to maintain this subtle balance throughout the property.
Central to the upstairs of the property is an extensive library and sitting room leading to several of the bedrooms.
In a separate wing is the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and a galleried staircase leads to the top of the house with more bedrooms and a further sitting room.
The owners love to entertain and Binissaida has a modern and well equipped kitchen and a grand dining room for such occasions.
For evenings out the old fishing village of Es Castell with its harbour front of restaurants and bars is only a short drive or taxi ride away and the capital, Mao, is only ten minutes away by car.
With its reputation for offering high quality villa holidays, superb restaurants specialising in fresh seafood and Spanish Tapas, quality shops and beautiful architecture, all on an island only 25 miles long by 10 miles wide, it is no wonder Menorca has become a favourite location for the discerning traveller.
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