History of Fornells and the Northern Coast

The village was originally founded to serve the castle erected in the 16th century as a defence against the Barbary pirates for whom Fornells Bay provided the perfect safe haven. The castle was eventually demolished in the 18th century and all that is left of the military past of Fornells is the watch tower on the headland, outside the village. From there to the west Cavallería Cape can be seen, and to the east the massive bulk of Sa Mola, forming the eastern side of the entrance.

In 1798 the village was a landing site during the Capture of Minorca by the British