300 Aniversario · Anniversary · Jahrestag Alfonso III landed on the “Isla del Rey” in 1287, when he conquered Minorca from the Muslims. On it stands out the old military hospital, built in 1711 by the commander of the English squadron, John Jennings, during the first British domination. It was called ‘Bloody Island’ because of its function as a hospital. The hospital is in the same style as the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Greenwich Naval Hospital in London, designed by the architect Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723). In 1781 it was dismantled for the construction of the San Felipe castle and in 1830, Isla del HospitalSpain gave permission to France to use it in order to care for soldiers who were wounded in the Algerian war.
mm 40
In 1964, the hospital was transfered to Mahon because of the difficulties in taking the ill to the island. Subsequently abandoned, it fell into deep decline. Today, thanks to the efforts of the “ Amics de l‘Illa de l‘Hospital Association“ (Friends of the Isla del Hospital), it is being restored.