It is one of the must visits when visiting Menorca and in fact, it is calculated that Monte Toro receives more than one million people every year, making it the most frequented free tourist attraction. If the island measures 702 km2, most of which is below one hundred metres above sea level, its peak is 361.6 metros of altitude (some measure 357) and is above the Tramuntana part of the island. Located on the outskirts of the district of Es Mercadal, in the centre of Menorca, its land corresponds to the primary era, the oldest part. This means that Monte Toro is protected environmentally, forming part of the Nature Network 2000 as a SSSI area, which means Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The climb can be done on foot or by bike but we advise going up by car since there is a large convenient car park. Clear days offer a spectacular view of the island and even part of neighbouring Mallorca and its splendid Serra de Tramuntana.
On the summit stands the Sanctuary of the Mare de Déu del Toro which gives its name to the mountain. The legend goes that some monks climbed the mountain through a thick wood, and came up against a furious bull which blocked their way. However, on seeing the crucifixes of the monks, it ended up guiding them along the way. Along the path they came to some very high rocks but the brave animal helped destroy them so they could continue. At the top, before the light that shined coming out of a cave, the bull bowed. The reason is that inside the cave was a statue of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus. The monks took it to their monastery but the next day it was once again on the summit. There they built a chapel and later a convent in which nuns still live today.
Today stands a church built in 1670 over another Gothic church, a defence tower, a courtyard, a restaurant and a craft shop.
