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Siempre me ha llamado la atención esta isla, la Isla del Hospital, situada en medio del puerto de Mahón. Siempre que pasaba de niño en barco junto a su orilla norte corría a ver los edificios en ruinas de aquel hospital que, decían, se había edificado en tiempos de los ingleses. Hoy, sus ruinas ya no lo son tanto, gracias a la labor de un nutrido grupo de voluntarios que se afanan en recuperar y restaurar sus alas, a fin de devolverle la dignidad que se merece.
En la Isla del Hospital, aparte de las instalaciones del propio hospital, fundado en 1711 y en activo hasta 1964, se pueden visitar diversas dependencias con útiles de medicina, un memorial a los marinos fallecidos en el hundimiento del acorazado italiano Roma, durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, cuyos supervivientes fueron tratados en el propio hospital, dos capillas (una anglicana y otra católica), una sala dedicada a la dominación británica, otra sala con una reconstrucción del mosaico perteneciente a los restos de la basílica paleocristiana del siglo V encontrados en su sección oriental a finales del siglo XIX, unos jardines (en proceso de recuperación)...
El principal problema es, evidentemente, acceder a la isla. Cualquiera puede atracar una barca, zodiac o kayak en su dique, y existen empresas turísticas de catamaranes que venden pasajes. El intenso tráfico marítimo de la zona imposibilita cualquier travesía a nado. Las mañanas de domingo son las elegidas por los voluntarios para ir a trabajar, y siempre se puede compartir embarcación con ellos. El cache se halla escondido en un punto no frecuentado por los voluntarios.
Para más información, www.islahospitalmenorca.org
English
I've always been drawn by this small island, the Hospital Island, located in the middle of Port Mahon. Every time that as a kid I sailed past the northern shore of this island I ran to see the ruined buildings of the hospital that, it was said, had been built when the British ruled Minorca. Nowaydays its ruins are not completely abandoned since a large group of volunteers work to restore its wings and bring its past dignity back.
Apart from the hospital premises, that were founded in 1711 and were used until 1964, there are different chambers that can be visited. Each of these spaces have been adapted to fit different needs, such as displaying old-fashioned medicine equipment or paying homage all sailors who died in the sinking of the Italian battleship Roma, during the World War II, whose survivors were treated in this hospital. There are also two chapels, one Anglican and the other Catholic, as well as rooms dedicated to the British period on Minorca. On the other hand, you can also contemplate a copy of the mosaic belonging to a primitive Christian church from the fifth century, which was discovered in the end of the 19 th century in the eastern section of the island, as well as to relax in the hospital gardens (under restoration work at the moment).
The main obstacle is, evidently, to reach the island. Everybody can dock a boat, a zodiac or a kayak, as well as buy a ticket from one of the catamaran companies who operate in Port Mahon. Swimming as a way to reach the island is completely forbidden due to the intense maritime traffic in the area. On Sunday mornings the volunteers go to work there, so that you might share a boat with them. The cache is hidden at a spot far away from the area where volunteers work.
For further information, please visit www.islahospitalmenorca.org