Shore huts: Menorca’s vanishing ethnological and gastronomic treasure

Bep Al·lès / Ciutadella – In Menorca, the northernmost of the Balearic Islands, the sea has never been just a landscape. It has been, and still is, a vital part of the islanders’ identity and survival. Among the many traces this connection has left along the coast, the casetes de vorera (shore huts) stand out as one of the most recognizable and yet most fragile elements of Menorca’s ethnological heritage.

These small, whitewashed constructions, usually with sturdy wooden doors, proliferated from the 19th century onward. They were built right by the sea to store fishing boats, marine tools and everyday equipment. They were not only functional spaces; they were also meeting points — small extensions of the village at the water’s edge. Each hut held stories of work days, leisure hours, fishing trips and community life.

Moreover, these huts became the cradle of Menorcan seaside cuisine. From the boats sheltered within came fish and shellfish that, simply and directly, turned into emblematic dishes: calderes (fish stews), soupy rice dishes, or seafarers’ casseroles. Recipes born of necessity and creativity, now an inseparable part of the island’s gastronomy.

Over time, many of these huts saw artisanal fishing give way to recreation. Menorcan families continued using them as leisure spaces, spending whole summers there between swims, excursions and relaxed dinners outdoors. They became, in essence, the bridge between the fishing tradition and the modern culture of coastal enjoyment.

In Ciutadella, however, the casetes de vorera have been pushed toward abandonment and decay. The coastal authority (Costas), which oversees the maritime-terrestrial zone, has prohibited maintenance on many of these buildings. The lack of permits or authorizations to repair them has left owners and local communities powerless as the huts slowly deteriorate.

The intangible value of the huts
Beyond their practical use, these huts hold an intangible value that often goes unnoticed. They are tangible witnesses of a way of life deeply connected to the sea. At a time when globalization tends to homogenize landscapes and customs, preserving these spaces means preserving Menorca’s unique identity.

Each hut tells a story — of a grandfather who kept his boat, tèquina or llaüt, inside; of a family who came to picnic and eat freshly fried fish; or of a group of youngsters who held their first Cincogemes gatherings there. Losing these huts would mean losing those memories too, and with them, part of the island’s collective identity.

Conclusion: everyone’s responsibility
The casetes de vorera are much more than walls of lime and stone beside the sea. They reflect a relationship between Menorcans and their coastline — a bond built on work, food, leisure and community. Today, this ethnological treasure stands at a crossroads: in Llevant (the east), it has been preserved, but in Ponent (the west), degradation is rapidly leading to its disappearance.

The future of this heritage depends on Menorcan society’s and institutions’ ability to act with foresight and determination. Declaring them Heritage Sites (BIC), restoring them, and giving them new social uses are essential steps. What’s at stake is not just the conservation of old huts, but the preservation of a living memory — a vital part of Menorca’s soul.