Famous faces of Menorca

Menorca may be a small island with a tiny population but it has produced some notable people down the years. Here's a quick guide to the great and the good...

Joan Pons, Singer (1946-)

Internationally acclaimed baritone Joan Pons was born in Ciutadella and has performed in the world's greatest opera houses including La Scala Milan, Covent Garden and the Metropolitan New York.

Josep Torrent, Artist (1904-1990)

Born in Ciutadella, Josep was a renowned expressionist painter known as "the Van Gogh of Menorca". His paintings truly capture the essence of the island, a selection of which can be seen at Casa Museu Torrent.

Mateu Orfila, Doctor (1787-1853)

This Menorcan-born doctor became the Dean of Medicine at the University of Paris and, following important breakthroughs in toxicology, became known as the founder of forensic medicine. A statue of him stands in Carrer Ses Moreres, Mahon.

Richard Kane, Governor (1662-1736)

Without doubt one of Britain's unsung heroes, Kane became Governor of Menorca in 1713 and is fondly remembered by islanders for bringing stability, justice and much improvement to the island's administration and agriculture. The old road from Mahon to Ciutadella, Cami d'en Kane, still bears his name and in 1973, Menorcans erected a monument to his memory at the beginning of the route.

see also...

• History of Menorca
• Interactive holiday map