The La Mola Fortress complex combines history, nature, and unique landscapes, allowing you to explore various areas that showcase the island's evolution between the 18th and 20th centuries.

Built between 1848 and 1875, this great work of military engineering was designed to protect the island from potential British invasions, at a time of particularly tense geopolitical tensions in the Mediterranean.

With its ten defensive fronts, divided between land and sea defences, La Mola is an outstanding example of 19th-century military architecture. Land-based defences played a key role, while sea-based defences were reinforced by the peninsula's own natural cliffs, which served as a strategic barrier.

During the visit, you will have the opportunity to discover:

• Fort Isabel II: A large defensive structure in the Port of Mahón.
• Fronts 9–10: A key area for the maritime defence of the port entrance.
• La Mina: An underground labyrinth with powder magazines, storerooms, and casemates.
• Puerta de la Reina: The most majestic and best-protected entrance.
• El Hornabeque: the first line of land defence, now a venue for events.
• La Cortadura: The last defensive refuge in the event of an attack.
• La Caponera: An advanced system for protecting the moat.
• Cistern and settling ponds: ingenious rainwater collection systems.
• Entrance 5: An isolated fortlet that defended the moat next to Entrance 2.
• The Moat: Over 1,500 metres encircling the fortress.
• Embrasure Gallery: Defensive corridor with 48 casemates for riflemen.
• Princess Tower: British tower (1798–1802) to protect the north.
• Aljibe de la Reina: A system that supplied drinking water to the garrison.
• Prison: Former warehouse converted into a military prison (1948–1970).
• Quarries: Sites where “marès,” the island's characteristic stone, was extracted.
• Vickers Battery: Impressive naval guns with a range of up to 35 km (22 miles).
• Queen's Magazine: A building restored to its original structure, designed to contain explosions.

A comprehensive tour that will allow you to understand how this great fortress operated and to discover all its secrets step by step.

Access to most of the facilities. A visit to the fortress takes 1–1.5 hours for the main part, and 2–2.5 hours for the full tour, so it is recommended to arrive at least 1.5 hours before closing time.