Early Christian Basilica of Port de Fornells

Early Christian Basilica of Port de Fornells is an archaeological site on Menorca's northern coast, in the municipality of Es Mercadal, right by Fornells Bay. The remains of this late-antique church belong to a group of six early Christian basilicas uncovered across the island, and rank among the better-preserved examples of religious architecture from that period in the Balearics.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The ruins sit on the Cap des Port headland, on the eastern side of Fornells Bay, close to the salt ponds and the Concepció nature reserve. Access is via the ME-7 road linking Maó (Mahón) with Fornells, followed by a short, waymarked footpath to the site. The walk also offers views over the bay itself, one of the island's best-known coastal features.

How was it discovered?

The ruins came to light in 1958. Initial excavation followed the very next year, and a more extensive dig ran from 1975 to 1985. Pottery analysis dates the church's construction to the late 5th or early 6th century, with continued use through the 7th century before it was eventually abandoned.

What survives on site?

The basilica's plan centers on a single nave facing east, with several side rooms added over the building's working life — their layout and purpose shifted as the complex was modified across the decades. Beneath the sanctuary lies a crypt shaped like a Greek cross, and a staircase once connected the main nave to a raised sanctuary and choir area. A baptistery survives too, with a star-shaped immersion font, alongside five burial chambers. Floors were laid in opus signinum, a crushed-ceramic mortar typical of late Roman construction. Wall plaster fragments remain in places, along with Greek and Latin graffiti left by the people who used the building. The surviving paintings have been studied separately for their pigments and painting technique.

How does it compare to Menorca's other basilicas?

Cap des Port is one of six known early Christian basilicas found on Menorca, alongside those at Son Bou, on Illa del Rei and Illa d'en Colom in the port of Maó, at Fornàs de Torelló, and at Sanitja, also within Es Mercadal. Their number points to intense religious activity on the island during the Byzantine period, following the conquest of the Balearics in the first half of the 6th century.

When should you visit?

Since the site is entirely open-air, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, avoiding the height of summer heat. It's worth pairing a visit with a walk around Fornells Bay or a stop at the nearby Concepció reserve, combining the archaeological site with the distinctive landscape of the island's north coast.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Early Christian Basilica of Port de Fornells? It is the ruin of a late-antique church built in the late 5th or early 6th century and used until the 7th century, discovered in 1958 on the Cap des Port headland by Fornells Bay.

What can you see at the site? Visible remains include the outline of the nave, a Greek-cross-shaped crypt, a baptistery with an immersion font, five burial chambers, and fragments of wall paintings and inscriptions.

How do you reach the ruins? Take the ME-7 road between Maó and Fornells, then follow a short footpath out to the Cap des Port headland.

Is this Menorca's only basilica of this kind? No — it is one of six known early Christian basilicas on the island, alongside those at Son Bou, Fornàs de Torelló, Sanitja, and on the islets of Illa del Rei and Illa d'en Colom.