Monte Toro  nature reserve

With it's 358 m El Toro is the highest point on the island. Here you can admire the views and look around the ancient monastery at the summit. Monte Toro should not be translated as Mount Bull, the name rather comes from the Arabic word for 'highest point', Al-Thor'.

Monte Toro, N towards Fornells

In the seventeenth century, still under the threats of possible attacks from the Turkish empire or from North-Africa, the construction of a fortress on El Toro was undertaken, as a final retreat for the population. The only part of that project that was ever completed was the old square tower that now serves the Spanish army as a radio station.

 

Chapel

At the end of the courtyard is the entrance to the restored baroque church, built in 1595. A chapel was built and dedicated to San Salvador. Augustnian monks founded a monestary at the end of the seventeenth century.

Franciscan sisters that lives here nowadays attend spiritual excercises and to the building's conservation.

From the courtyard there is also the entrance to a modern souvenir shop and a cafereria.