Sanisera, Roman archaeological site in Es Mercadal, Spain.
Sanisera is an archaeological site along the natural harbor of Sanitja on Menorca's northern coast, containing remains of a Roman settlement and an early Christian church. Excavations have uncovered walls, streets, and religious structures that reveal how people lived here roughly 2,000 years ago.
This Roman settlement was first established as a military fort around 123 BC and later documented by Pliny the Elder in the 1st century. The site grew into an important harbor and eventually became home to a Christian community in late ancient times.
The early church here shows how important faith was to the people living in this settlement over 1,500 years ago. You can see the foundation stones of the religious building and understand that this location held spiritual meaning for the community.
The site is accessible from Es Mercadal by following signs toward the Cavalleria lighthouse, with parking spots near the excavation area. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven in places and some areas may have limited access depending on ongoing work.
Artifacts from this place reveal that trade connections with North Africa persisted even after the Western Roman Empire collapsed. These links show that remote locations like this remained connected to distant regions centuries into the Christian era.
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